The Illinois football program is not made for everyone, and sometimes a player departs after a minute with the team.
Bret Bielema did a good job building out the class of 2024. We snagged 20 commitments and had a class that ranked side the top 50. That was a pretty solid accomplishment until we saw what the Illini class of 2026 is turning into.
On Wednesday, a member of the 2024 class decided to bolt the program. Carlos Orr-Gillespie took to social media to announce that he was entering the transfer portal.
Coming out of Gatlinburg Pittman High School in Tennessee, Orr-Gillespie was a three-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 849 player in the class of 2024. He was also the No. 114 wide receiver in the country and the No. 24 player in the state of Tennessee.
Illinois won the recruiting battle for Orr-Gillespie, and in year one, he didn’t take a single snap and redshirted. After his first season with the program, he is now in the transfer portal.
The depth at wide receiver enables the Illinois football program to withstand transfer portal departures
I hate losing a player who has been in the Illinois program. Orr-Gillespie didn’t play yet, but he knew the coaching staff and the expectations on the field. Now, he is finding a new home.
Illinois can, thankfully, withstand a departure like this, though. Bielema has built the Illinois roster into one that can take a hit or two at nearly every position. Wide receiver is a position that we have some impressive depth for the near future.
Among the returning players for 2025, I see Hank Beatty, Ashton Hollins, Malik Elzy, Collin Dixon, and Alex Capka-Jones all making an impact. Illinois also landed some key transfers this offseason.
I think Justin Bowick from Ball State was an underrated get for the Illini. I think he could have a big year. Hudson Clement from West Virginia was also a massive addition. He might be in line for an All-Big Ten nomination.
I haven’t even mentioned the freshmen. Brayden Trimble will have a say in snaps in his first year at Illinois. I love what the Illini have at wide receiver. We can take this hit in the transfer portal. I wish Orr-Gillespie nothing but the best.