Illinois LEO Houston Bates has decided to cut his football career in Champaign short and transfer closer to home for his final season. Bates, a native of Covington, La., will graduate from the University in May and will then be eligible to play immediately at another school.

“I want to thank my teammates and coaches, along everyone who supported me here at the University,” Bates said in a statement. “I wish everyone in the Fighting Illini program nothing but the best. I’m taking this opportunity to finish my playing career closer to home so that my family and friends will be able to see me play.”

Bates started all 12 games at the LEO position (Line/End Option), a hybrid defensive lineman/linebacker position. Bates had 81 tackles in his Illinois career, including 40 in 2013. He was second on the team with 12 tackles-for-loss last season.

“Houston is a terrific and bright young man, who was a great teammate on our football team,” head coach Tim Beckman said. “We certainly would have liked to have Houston remain on the team, but he indicated that he wanted to finish closer to home and his family.”

It is uncertain as to which schools Bates is considering. With Bates leaving and Tim Kynard graduating, Illinois will now be losing both their starting defensive ends. Junior college transfer Jihad Ward could have an immediate impact on the defensive line in 2014 for the Illini.

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and @sean_hammond.