NORMAL, Ill. – Running back Walter Mendenhall has made his plans to transfer from Illinois final, enrolling at Illinois State as a grad student and joining the football team.

Redbirds coach Denver Johnson says Mendenhall has started working out with the team.

Mendenhall left Illinois after getting only limited playing time. He carried the ball four times for 57 yards last season.

His brother, Rashard Mendenhall, led the Illini and the Big Ten in rushing. The Steelers drafted him in the first round of this year’s NFL draft.

Walter Mendenhall will compete for playing time with last year’s starter, Geno Blow, and three other tailbacks.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Mendenhall already graduated from Illinois but has a year of eligibility left.