5 crucial positions Illinois football needs to address in the transfer portal

We haven't even made it to the bowl game, but the Illinois football team still has to dive face first into the raging transfer portal waters.

Minnesota v Illinois
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5. Defensive Lineman

It was hard to replicate the defensive line that Jer’Zhan Newton anchored in 2023. Illinois tried its hardest to do so, but we didn’t come close to that great defensive line.

  • Who is leaving?

Illinois is going to have to hit the reset button on the defensive line in 2025. Dennis Briggs Jr., a 2024 transfer portal addition, is gone. He played one season at Illinois and had 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

TeRah Edwards is also gone. He was the highest-rated Illinois defensive lineman, registering a ranking of No. 297 out of all defensive linemen in the college game. Edwards had 37 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2024.

The departures continue with Ezekiel Holmes leaving the program. He saw 210 snaps on the season and amassed seven tackles and a sack.

Illinois also had Enyce Sledge transfer out of the program. He transferred in last season and only saw 16 snaps for the Illini. He is now looking for a new home.

  • Who is back?

A nice core of really young talent returns to the Illinois roster. But first, I would like to start off with a big addition returning in Gentle Hunt.

Hunt transferred in last season and was supposed to be a starter for the program, but he dealt with injury issues. Hunt will be back next season and should be a big part of this team.

The younger talent on the roster excites me. I think the future is so bright for players like Eddie Tuerk, Pat Farrell, Jeremiah Warren, and Angelo McCullom. They are the future on the defensive line, and I can’t wait to see how they develop in the coming year.

  • What does Illinois need?

I love the young talent and think Hunt will be great for the program. But Illinois still needs to go out and get some starting defensive linemen in the transfer portal.

I need to see at least two starters emerge from the transfer portal. Illinois can have Hunt in the starting rotation, but let’s get some competition in the program to improve the quality of play.

Two starting-caliber defensive linemen are a must this offseason. Let’s snag them and strengthen the middle of the Illinois defense.

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