But Illinois still needs more before the transfer portal closes on January 16, especially at the wide receiver position. The Illinois football team has seen a lot of departures over the past couple of months, with four of their top five receivers, including tight end Cole Rusk, leaving the team for various reasons.

On Day 8 of the transfer portal, Wisconsin announced more help for its defense with the signing of Illinois State defensive lineman Jake Anderson.

WEST LAFAYETTE − The 2026 Purdue football roster is starting to take shape. On Wednesday night, the Boilermakers built on to their defense with three transfer portal additions, then filled an offensive line spot, a nice haul that at least temporarily appeased Purdue football fans.

Hood, who announced last week he would be entering the transfer portal, on Wednesday committed to West Virginia

IOWA CITY — Northern Illinois defensive end transfer Lance Ingold committed to Iowa football, he announced Jan. 8. Ingold, listed at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, will come to the Hawkeyes with three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Chiles lost his starting job after eight games in 2025 — in which he had 10 touchdown passes and three interceptions — and battled a foot injury late in the year. He was among the players to transfer out after new Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald took over.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema's comments about the transfer portal era spark heated debate among college football fans.

Coenen started his career at Division II Bemidji State, where he was productive, racking up 20 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks for the Beavers. Last year, Coenen transferred to Illinois, where he played in 12 games and finished with 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a rotation lineman.