Bold headline: Illinois bids farewell to a former 3-star linebacker as he enters the transfer portal.
The transfer portal can be a mixed bag for programs, and Illinois Football knows this dual nature all too well. While the Illini have benefited from successful arrivals and relatively smooth departures in recent years, Tuesday brought tougher news.
Brandon Huffman of 247Sports reports that Illinois linebacker Easton Baker is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. Baker, who signed with Illinois in 2024 out of Stansbury High School in Tooele, Utah, was a 3-star recruit in the class and chose Illinois over programs like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and BYU. He will have three years of eligibility remaining once he finds his new home.
Baker’s high school pedigree placed him as the No. 1362 nationally in the 2024 cycle, the No. 116 linebacker in his class, and the No. 17 player from Utah. There was early buzz that he could develop into a standout contributor, given his offers from high-profile programs and his physical toolkit.
In two seasons with Illinois, Baker did not see game action on defense. Wherever he transfers, he should have three years of eligibility to pursue his potential impact.
Despite this setback, Illinois still has solid options at linebacker heading into 2026. The departure of Dylan Rosiek—described by this program as the heart and soul of the Illini linebacking corps—along with the loss of Kenenna Odeluga, leaves a gap to fill. However, the roster already features several promising players who could take on bigger roles, including Jojo Hayden, who appears ready to step into a starting role, and Grant Beerman, whose notable transfer flip from Purdue to Illinois last season could translate into new leadership and production on the field.
Head coach Bret Bielema is also expected to explore the transfer portal in this offseason, with linebacker depth likely becoming a priority. The next wave of additions could shape the Illini defense for 2026, as Illinois looks to balance developing returning players with strategic portal acquisitions.
