Illinois Football: Top 5 transfer portal quarterbacks for the Illini 1.0

4. Mikey Keene

Usually, the transfer portal is about getting players who can come in for just a season and help your program. One option Illinois should be interested in is Mikey Keene. He isn’t a microwave player, as he has two years left in college.

Keene was just a solid recruit coming out of Chandler High School in Arizona. He was rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 818 player in the class of 2021.

There were a lot of mid-major programs wanting Keene, but he would end up choosing Central Florida as his landing spot. This would prove to be a good choice because Keene would prove his abilities immediately.

As a freshman, Keene would throw for 1,730 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He would also take on the Florida Gators in a bowl game that year, and would come out victorious, 29-17.

This past season, Keene would see limited action. He threw for 647 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. He is now looking for a new home, and Illinois might be a good option for him.

Keene clearly has the big play ability, and his arm is about as solid as anyone in the transfer portal. Location doesn’t seem to be a factor, as he went from Arizona to Florida to play his college ball. I think the Illini could approach Keene and try to get him to come to Champaign.

Adding Keene might ruffle some feathers in the locker room as far as the backups go, but this would also give Illinois a lot of quarterback competition. The more competition the better.