It has been a whirlwind of a transfer portal season, as the Illinois football team continues to rebuild the roster.
This is what the offseason is going to be every year. After the season, the Illini will lose just north of 20 players to the transfer portal, and Bret Bielema has to go out and plug the holes in hopes of getting to the College Football Playoff.
One of the transfer portal departures this offseason thinks things might be worse than years past, though. In a cryptic social media post, Illini transfer Antwon Hayden had one simple word.
“Exodus…”
Exodus…
— Antwon “Jojo” Hayden (@AntwonHayden) January 11, 2026
There was no context to his post. He didn’t follow up with a comment saying that this was a new hit show on NBC, or it was his new favorite music group, or something like that. It was one word that he threw out there to people who might follow him, and it is all left for speculation.
So, I am speculating.
Hayden clearly feels that Illinois’ situation is an exodus. He thinks that there are mass departures within the program, and he is kind of right. But here is the thing. It is nothing new.
Illinois has had over 20 players hit the transfer portal in each of the past two recruiting classes, and 2026 is just falling in line. Are there a few more than in years past? Sure, but I can’t help it when a player who doesn’t play a single snap or sees single-digit snaps wants to actually play and will end up at an FCS program.
Antwon Hayden’s transfer portal departure to Purdue is nothing new for the Illinois football program
Hayden is having a moment and maybe feels slighted in some way. Do you know what is great, though? In today’s college football, the player actually has a voice, and I love that. He can leave when he doesn’t get his way and wants to pout about it.
Purdue is the lucky program to get Hayden’s services next, and with the way college football works, it probably won’t be his last stop. He isn’t the only Illini player to head to West Lafayette, either. Curt Neal is also on his way to play for the Boilermakers.
This isn’t the first time Illinois players have transferred to Purdue. In 2024, Trey Smith and Reggie Love III both ended up there. The result?
Love’s yards, yards per carry, and touchdowns all dropped in his lone season with the Boilermakers. In two seasons, Smith has had a combined 17 tackles and one sack. Meanwhile, Purdue has had a 3-21 record.
As I said, I am glad players have the flexibility to express what they think and go where they feel wanted. Hayden is now going to a program that is exactly 0-18 in the Big Ten since 2024. I wish you nothing but the best in the future.