Transfer Portal Tracker: Which Illini Players Are Leaving?
The Illini Inquirer has compiled a list of players who have announced their intention to transfer out of the Illinois football program this offseason. With the transfer portal season underway, the Illini are expected to be active in both departures and acquisitions.
Key Points:
- Illinois is coming off an eight-win regular season but will lose most of its starters, including key positions. This indicates a significant retooling process via the transfer portal in the new revenue-sharing/NIL era.
- The NCAA has introduced a single transfer portal window from January 2-16, during which players must enter the portal. They are not required to commit to a new school during this period, but many will likely do so to align with winter workouts and spring practices at their new institutions.
- Players often declare their transfer intentions well before the official window opens. For instance, wide receiver Malik Elzy announced his decision in September.
- There is no spring transfer portal window this year.
- Players from programs with coaching changes post-January 2 will be eligible to enter the portal five days after a new coach is hired.
Players Leaving:
- Trey Petty: Petty, a quarterback, did not play in any games during his two-year career at Illinois and was not part of the 2025 season's roster. He was ranked as the 51st-best quarterback in the Class of 2024 and chose Illinois over offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss.
- Malik Elzy: Elzy, a wide receiver, has had a career-high seven receptions for 84 yards in four games this season. He was a four-star prospect from Chicago Simeon and the 229th-ranked player in the Class of 2023.
Implications:
- Trey Petty's transfer is notable as he was a good addition to the quarterback room in the Class of 2024, raising the standard for Illinois quarterback recruiting. However, with the addition of freshman Carson Boyd and the incoming 2026 quarterback Michael Clayton, Petty's role may be limited.
- Malik Elzy provided physicality at wide receiver but was a fringe player in the rotation before leaving the team in September. The return of starters Justin Bowick, Hudson Clement, and Collin Dixon, along with the emergence of freshman Brayden Trimble, suggests a competitive environment at wide receiver.
This transfer portal season promises significant changes for the Illini, with both opportunities and challenges for the team's future.
