During the winter, Illinois showed urgency in addressing its top needs on the line of scrimmage for the 2024 season, adding three defensive linemen, three offensive linemen and a tight end via the transfer portal. The Illini also signed three JUCO prospects in December: LB Daniel Brown, WR Mario Sanders and DB Chase Canada.
But Illinois likely will look again to upgrade a few spots on its roster as the spring transfer portal window opens on Tuesday and runs through April 30. Illinois will be able to add transfers after the portal window closes, and graduate transfers are able to enter the portal at any time. But the next few weeks will largely show what is available on the market and who has mutual interest.
The Illini do need more attrition to get under 85 scholarships and have the ability to add transfers, though that is expected. The Illini have had five players announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal already, mostly players buried on the depth chart, though Youngstown State transfer defensive lineman Anthony Johnson, who was added to make a big impact, left the program after just a few months.
So what needs could Illinois prioritize during the spring portal season? Here are five to monitor.
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