Impressive running back Josh McCray has surprised many, including legions of Illinois fans, by moving into the NCAA transfer portal. The Citrus Bowl MVP, whose numbers in 2024 dwarfed the previous season, will be a big loss for head coach Bret Bielema in the tough Big Ten.
At the Citrus Bowl, where Illinois defeated South Carolina 21-17, McCray rushed for 114 yards, collecting two touchdowns from his 13 carries to then rightfully earn the MVP award for the impressive display.
Illinois fans who expect their Fighting Illini to build on last season’s 10-3 record may want to place a wager to that effect. Before you do so, we’d recommend you check here for the best apps, as selecting the right provider will greatly improve your potential payout.
Among Bielema’s options at running back, he can look to the likes of Kaden Feagin, Aidan Laughery and Ca’Lil Valentine. Defensive Back Tyler Strain has also entered the transfer portal, and one wonders who will be seeking out deals to bring in either of the two Illinois players.
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On potentially losing McCray, 55-year-old head coach Bielema was surprisingly honest about how things got here, commenting.
“It has been a four-year conversation,”
“Josh is a kid we’re incredibly proud of. He’s gonna walk out of here, should finish up this [school] year this spring with a degree [in communications]. He’s gonna walk out of here with a four-year player that’s done a lot of really good things.”
“I obviously talked to him about what I thought we could do and where we’re at, but his intentions are to get in the portal, and I completely understand that.”
“We just have such a talented [running back] room coming back,” Bielema said. “He [McCray] saw himself as a backup running back. I couldn’t change his opinion on that.” Bielema added.
On his policy towards individuals who push to be added to the portal, Bielema was also forthright, explaining,
“If somebody doesn’t want to be here, I don’t need them here.”
“There’s some I encourage or discourage.”
“We may offer the chance for players to see what’s out there and bring you back, but most importantly, we don’t find something else that we want.”
By all accounts, another three or four Illinois players could also be heading to the transfer portal, with coaches from other colleges then afforded the chance to consider bringing them in, before they either return or are released.
When it comes to the betting odds for a national championship, Illinois is an incredible long shot, sitting at around +20000, depending on which provider you choose to take a punt with, and they are +6000 to win the Big Ten Conference.
2025 will be Bielema’s fifth season in charge at the Memorial Stadium, and his current overall record is 28-22, with his conference record being 18-1. 2024 was by some distance his best to date.
