The Illinois football team had to retool the defense in 2024 after losing some key members the year prior.
It isn’t easy replacing an All-American defensive lineman, among other departures. A lot of new names entered the fray via the transfer portal. Dennis Briggs Jr. was a nice piece to help stabilize the Illini defensive line. However, it was clear throughout the 2024 campaign that Illinois needed more help.
The departures since the regular season ended have been extensive too. Briggs was our best defensive lineman and he is gone. TeRah Edwards and Ezekiel Holmes also aged out with Briggs. Enyce Sledge then transferred out, leaving the defensive line with some major holes.
Illinois’ outside linebacker position also took a huge hit. Seth Coleman finished his sixth season with the program, and he is now on to bigger and better things. He was one of our best outside linebackers.
With all of these departures, Bielema needed to do some serious work. Not only has he secured talent to help the front seven of the Illinois defense, but I think we could see an improved squad in 2025.
Illinois football has some quality starting and depth chart talent in the front seven thanks to the transfer portal
Not every player that has transferred into the Illinois football program will start next season. Some of these players will also get solid snaps as a depth piece on the defense.
I do think the Illini landed at least one starter, though. On Wednesday, it was announced by Pete Nakos of On3.com that James Thompson has signed with Illinois.
Wisconsin defensive lineman James Thompson has signed with Illinois, @On3sports has learned. https://t.co/wMrfFrdlE6 pic.twitter.com/Y1r1xil7hv
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 25, 2024
Thompson is a quality defensive line transfer from Wisconsin. He didn’t play in 2024 due to a chest injury, but he had a successful three seasons prior.
Just in the past two seasons alone, Thompson had 18 starts and amassed 51 tackles, five sacks, and two pass deflections. 247Sports has Thompson as a four-star transfer portal recruit.
It is still early in the transfer portal process, but Illinois has six commitments thus far. Out of those commitments, four are in the defensive front seven. Thompson anchors this group, and he should start on the defensive line.
Curt Neal also transferred from Wisconsin and will play on the defensive line. He will compete for snaps and have a chance to start. At the bare minimum, Neal will give Illinois more competition.
The other two defensive front seven players who are coming to Champaign are Leon Lowery Jr. and Tomiwa Durojaiye. Both are high three-star transfer portal recruits who will be great at the outside linebacker role.
Gabe Jacas is the only surefire starter for 2025. I think Jojo Hayden has a chance to start as well. But Durojaiye and Lowery will push for a starting job. They both will at least see a lot of snaps next season.
Illinois needed some serious help on the defensive side of the ball, and Bielema answered the call. This has been a great start to the transfer portal season for the Illini defense.