Did the Illinois football team land some huge offseason transfer portal players? The answer is, no.
Bret Bielema did go out and snag key players from the transfer portal who will help this team. He plugged holes for the Illini, and this will help us win games in 2025.
I would argue the most important recruiting Bielema did this offseason wasn’t even in the transfer portal. It was bringing back his own talent.
This offseason, Bielema went out to California to convince JC Davis to come back for one more season. He got an extra year due to a court ruling on former JUCO players. When that went down, Bielema went into action. The result: Davis coming back for another season, and Illinois football getting one of the best left tackles in the college game.
On Tuesday, Davis’ return got a little national acknowledgement. The Outland Trophy watchlist was dropped, and he made it on the prestigious list. This is the award for the best lineman on the offense or defense.
It starts up front. @JCDavis56 has been named to the @outlandtrophy watch list. pic.twitter.com/lBX1a561Es
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) July 29, 2025
Davis was huge for the Orange and Blue last season. He was third-team All-Big Ten, and he started every game at left tackle. Illinois needed him back to protect Luke Altmyer’s blind spot, and Bielema accomplished that goal.
Illinois football doesn’t just have JC Davis coming back in 2025
While Davis was a huge piece to have come back, the Illinois football program has more than just the offensive line stalwart returning.
All five starting offensive linemen from the end of last season are back on the front lines. This includes the middle of the offensive line, center Josh Kreutz. He is back for one more season with the Illini, and with that name, I fully expect him to cause some waves when it comes to the NFL Draft.
Illinois is poised for a big year, and it all starts with the offensive line. Davis is the leader of this unit, and now he is getting some preseason national recognition.