Illinois Loses Player to Transfer Portal Just Hours After USC Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 6:50 PM ET

No. 23 Illinois had a massive 34-32 win over No. 21 USC, but also suffered a loss after the game ended.

Illinois drove down a hit a 41-yard game-winning field goal to improve to 4-1 on the year. The Fighting Illini recovered after suffering a 63-10 loss to then-ranked No. 19 Indiana in their last game.

Not too long after the game, Illinois receiver Malik Elzy entered the transfer portal, and he opted to his redshirt year as well.

Elzy was in his third season with the Fighting Illini and had recorded a career-high 84 receiving yards heading into Saturday's game.

Elzy's agent Aaron Garland explained the decision. He was the Fighting Illini's highest-rated recruit since 2019.

“He’s extremely grateful to Illinois, the coaches, teammates, and fans for their support, and he leaves with respect for the program," Garland said. "Malik was the Illini’s highest-rated recruit since 2019, and we’re confident this redshirt year will set him up to live up to that potential moving forward.”

Elzy was a former four-star recruit in the 2023 class out of Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois. He was the No. 36 receiver and No. 4 prospect from Illinois.

He accounted for 213 receiving yards and two touchdowns from 2023-25.

Typically a player can enter the transfer portal during the season if there is a coaching change. Players are free to enter the portal within 30 days of the coaches firing.

Other chances for players to enter the portal include a program discontinuation, within a five-day window from a team's bowl or College Football Playoff game, or a family hardship.

Illinois continues Big Ten play against Purdue in Week 6. The Fighting Illini travel to West Lafayette to face the Boilermakers at noon ET on Big Ten Network.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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