Top 5 Illinois football transfer quarterbacks of all time

Illinois football hasn't had tremendous quarterback success in the history of the program, but the transfer portal has been good to us.

By Rees Woodcock | Feb 28, 2024, 7:31 AM CST

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Tommy DeVito #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini catches the hiked ball during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4 of 6

No. 3 Tony Eason

If you are purely looking at NFL careers, then Tony Eason would arguably be the top Illinois football transfer quarterback of all time. But we aren’t looking at NFL careers.

Much like Dave Wilson, Eason would start his college career in California. He would suit up for American River College for two seasons before taking his talents to Illinois. This was a great get for Mike White and the Illini, as Eason would go on to have a solid run for the Orange and Blue.

Eason would spend two seasons with Illinois, both of which he put up big numbers. He would average 3,304 yards, 18.5 touchdowns, and 14.5 interceptions over the two years in Champaign. Eason did manage to make a bowl game, which ended up being a loss to Alabama in the 1982 Liberty Bowl.

The passing yards per season for Eason were the highest among all Illinois transfer quarterbacks. His winning percentage of 61.4% was also the second-highest. That is why Eason made the top three. But he was also docked for his touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Eason would finish his time at Illinois with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1.27, which checks in as the second-worst among all Illinois transfer quarterbacks. If he was more consistent, then Eason would have been higher on this list.

Home/All-Time Football Lists