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Transfer portal gives Illinois football secondary a shot in the arm

The Illinois football team needs to boost the defense, and a big addition on Sunday did just that.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Aug 30, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; East Texas A&M Lions defensive back X'Avion Brice (14) and defensive back Lavon Williams (2) and defensive back Cinque Williams (15) celebrate during the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the East Texas A&M Lions at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; East Texas A&M Lions defensive back X'Avion Brice (14) and defensive back Lavon Williams (2) and defensive back Cinque Williams (15) celebrate during the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the East Texas A&M Lions at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The transfer portal is bucking its head right now, and the Illinois football program is in for the ride.

Through the first few days of the transfer portal officially being open, the Illini lost quite a few players. The number is north of 20 transfers out, but at least Bret Bielema is starting to turn the tide a bit.

Safety is a key position that needs to be addressed this offseason, and it has started to get addressed from the transfer portal. One of the under-the-radar additions to the roster so far has been safety Lavon Williams.

Williams is a 5-foot-9, 186-pound safety from East Texas A&M. He is entering his senior season, so Illinois gets one final year of his talent.

I was impressed with Williams’ 2025 campaign. He finished with 75 tackles, seven pass deflections, one interception, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. This all came on 666 snaps on the season, which is a lot of experience to gain on the football field.

Illinois football needed the depth that Lavon Williams will add from the transfer portal

It is still early in the transfer portal, but Illinois had to start landing some safety help. The depth chart isn’t looking great at this position right now.

Monday brought the news that Saboor Karriem was transferring out of the program. Thankfully, Matthew Bailey decided to return. He isn’t entering his name into the transfer portal.

Illinois hasn’t heard word from either Mac Resetich or Xanai Scott. So, they are projected to return.

If the season were to start today, it would likely be Bailey starting. He played 693 snaps last season for the Illini and is a staple on this defense. Alongside Bailey, I think you have to go with Williams at this point.

Williams’ 666 snaps and experience give him the edge in my opinion. Illinois needs that on the first-string depth chart. Behind those two would then be Scott and Resetich, I assume.

I am not sure how much freshman four-star Jacob Eberhart will contribute in year one. Bielema hasn’t exactly been throwing freshmen to the wolves. He is someone to keep an eye on.

Clearly, though, Illinois needs to add another safety piece. We can’t go into 2026 with what we have right now, or the season could be long.

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