By Zeno Jo – IlliniGuys Staff Writer
January 1, 2026
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Happy New Year, IlliniGuys readers! With the Music City Bowl behind us now, portal season is truly upon us now. After a few days to soak in the bowl win and tying the knot on securing 19 wins in two years, the staff will soon get to work to fill out gaps on its roster through the transfer portal.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers JoJo Hayden and Easton Baker, defensive lineman Jeremiah Warren, and cornerback Vernon Woodward III have entered the transfer portal.
While it’s always great to cast a wide net in recruiting, this first list is staying a bit more realistic, grounded in previous interest or the obvious geographic relations these players have to Illinois.