Illinois earned the newest addition to its defensive line with senior defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. He announced his decision on Wednesday afree noon according to Chris Hummer on X.
Thompson spent a few years with Wisconsin and played his best season in 2023. He ended the regular season with 29 tackles, 19 of which were solo and three sacks. For the 2024 season, Thompson used the second redshirt season of his collegiate career, leading him to enter the transfer portal after three years of playing as a Badger.
Standing 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, Thompson is an excellent addition to the Illini’s defensive line next season. Defensive line coach and fellow Badger Terrance Jamison will coach him.
With two key senior defensive linemen, Dennis Briggs Jr. and TeRah Edwards, ending their Illini careers, Thompson will be an asset to the 2025-26 season. Illinois has focused on the trenches early on in the portal season, and this addition is a great start.
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