5 crucial positions Illinois football needs to address in the transfer portal
The transfer portal is in full force, and the Illinois football team has been sending out scholarship offers.
At least three times a day, I see a transfer portal player go to social media to announce they have received a scholarship offer from the Illini. Casting a wide net is a good idea, as there are some holes on the roster that need filled.
Bret Bielema has done a great job adapting to the changing landscape. The transfer portal is the biggest change in the college game, and he has taken it in stride. Landing some key players this transfer portal season is going to be crucial, though.
Here are five crucial positions Illinois football needs to address in the transfer portal
1. Offensive Tackle
The offensive tackle position saw a nice boost in 2024 thanks to the transfer portal. This position was a bright spot for the Illinois offensive line.
Despite having a couple of nice pieces, Illinois is going to need to hit the transfer portal again to find some depth and a starter or two.
- Who is leaving?
Illinois isn’t losing a ton of players, but we are losing the best offensive tackle from 2024. JC Davis is leaving after his first and only season with the program.
Davis registered as the No. 177 offensive tackle at all levels of college football. He was by far the most competent offensive lineman on the Illinois roster. He was also All-Big Ten third team by the coaches.
- Who is back?
The Illini are bringing back, as of right now, all of the other players who took snaps at offensive tackle in 2024. The leader of this unit is Melvin Priestly.
Priestly transferred in last season and was a solid offensive tackle for the program. He played 767 snaps, which is the most by any offensive tackle.
Illinois hasn’t been hit by the transfer portal yet, but if things stay as they are, we should have Magnus Moller, Brandon Hansen, and Dezmond Schuster all returning to compete for a starting job. Those three played a combined 13 snaps for Illinois at the tackle position.
- What does Illinois need?
Honestly, Illinois should go out and get as many offensive tackles as possible. I don’t think we just need one starting-caliber offensive tackle either. If Bret Bielema can pull in at least two offensive tackles from the transfer portal, that would be optimal. I am looking for at least one high-level starting offensive tackle and a second one who can start too.