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Illinois Football: Illini lose offensive lineman to transfer portal

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 14, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before the game against the Washington Huskies at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before the game against the Washington Huskies at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois football had another member of the famILLy depart the program on Friday.

Entering Friday, there had only been two real departures from the Illini. Backup kicker Fabrizio Pinton decided to find greener pastures, as he is likely looking for a starting job. Illinois also lost 2023 starting running back, Reggie Love III.

Love’s departure was a bit of a shock, as I figured he would have finished out his final year with the Orange and Blue. But it does make sense as I look at the roster. Kaden Feagin is the future at the running back position.

Illinois has now lost an offensive lineman. Zachary Barlev took to social media on Friday to announce that he has decided to enter the transfer portal. The Bolingbrook native spent two years with the Illini and is now looking for a better opportunity somewhere else.


The Illinois football team will be retooling the offensive line through the transfer portal

Losing any player is never fun. We get to see them commit to the Illini and when they leave, it hurts a little. But Barlev’s departure does make sense.

On a struggling offensive line, Barlev couldn’t get playing time. He played mostly special teams in 2022, and this past season, he played in three games and saw a total of 12 snaps for the entire year.

Bret Bielema is making it a point to bolster the Illinois offensive line. Just days ago, the Illini laned offensive lineman Andrew Dennis from the class of 2024. He picked Illinois over teams like Penn State and Clemson. The four-star recruit will make an impact from day one.

I believe Bielema is also going to hit the transfer portal hard for offensive linemen. Both starting offensive tackles have departed, but the Illinois offensive line was horrible in 2023. I think Bielema is about to go in and get at least two new offensive linemen in the transfer portal.

I am excited to see what the offensive line looks like in the spring game and when the 2024 campaign opens up. Illinois is going to upgrade at a key area on the field.

Next. Illini running back Reggie Love III enters transfer portal. dark

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