Illinois IOL Zylon Crisler enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Illinois offensive lineman Zylon Crisler has entered the NCAA transfer portal. On3’s Pete Nakos reported the news.

The 6-foot-7 and 350-pound Crisler played in all 12 games for the Fighting Illini in 2024, including six starts at right guard. Crisler completed his fourth year of collegiate eligibility this past season but qualifies for an additional year of eligibility after the NCAA recently awarded a blanket waiver for the 2025 season to anyone who participated for “a non-NCAA school” during their career and used their final season of eligibility during the 2024-25 calendar year.

The additional season of eligibility stems from a recent court ruling in Tennessee that granted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia a preliminary injunction against the NCAA enforcing eligibility limits that involve seasons spent at the junior college ranks.

Crisler spent the 2021 season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, a well-known junior college, prior to enrolling at Illinois, where he started in 30 of 36 career games over his three-year career in Champaign from 2022-24.

Crisler played high school football at Copiah Academy (Georgetown, Ms.), where he was a three-star prospect in the 2021 class. Coming out of Mississippi Gulf Coast, Crisler was the No. 23 overall JUCO recruit and No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Crisler is the 10th member of the Illini’s 2024 roster to enter the transfer portal since it opened Dec. 9, joining fellow interior lineman Hunter Whitenack, quarterback Donovan Leary (Tulane commit), tight ends Henry Boyer (Kentucky) and Nate Guinn, receiver Kenari Wilcher, safety Demetrius Hill, defensive lineman Enyce Sledge, and punters Declan Duley and Hugh Robertson.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Luke Altmyer announces he’s returning to Illinois for 2025 season

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer announced on Saturday his plans to return for another year with the Fighting Illini. He did so during Illinois’ home men’s basketball game vs. Tennessee on Saturday.

Taking to the court during a media timeout, Altmyer announced his decision to the crowd. It drew a sizable cheer from the State Farm Center crowd.

No. 20 Illinois went 9-3 in 2024 with Altmyer under center, and are set to play in the Citrus Bowl vs. No. 15 South Carolina on New Year’s Eve.

Andrew Graham contributed to this report.