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Illinois football offensive line transfer portal wish list 1.0

By Rees Woodcock

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 26: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen at Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 26: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen at Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Vanderbilt offensive lineman Kevo Wesley (52) heads out to warm up before a game against Alabama A&M at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Vanderbilt offensive lineman Kevo Wesley (52) heads out to warm up before a game against Alabama A&M at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. /

I want depth at the guard position for 2024. There were a lot of struggles coming from the Illinois guards, so having some talent behind the starters might be kind of nice.

Illinois should go after someone like Kevo Wesley. Coming out of Chicago, Illinois, Wesley was a three-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 491 player in the class of 2020. He picked Vanderbilt as his landing spot.

Wesley didn’t get a lot of shine with Vanderbilt. Leading up to the 2023 campaign, he had only played in nine total games for the Commodores. This past season, Wesley played in seven games and logged at least 29 snaps in four of those games.

I don’t think Wesley is an answer for the Illini when it comes to replacing one of the starters from the 2023 season. But I do believe Wesley gives Illinois more options and depth at a crucial position. Wesley would get a chance to play snaps and be a contributor to the team.

Illinois only had one guard with an overall grade above 58.0 this past season, and that was Josh Gesky who checked in at 63.2. Wesley’s grade was 61.5. That would be an improvement over what we had on the offensive line.

Getting more competition and depth into the program should be a priority. I think it also probably helps Wesley is from Chicago. Let’s bring this offensive lineman back home and bolster up the Illinois offensive line.

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