Linebacker Elijawah Tolbert (1) has left the Eastern Illinois football program after appearing in four games this season. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
Five months after returning to the Eastern Illinois football program, two-time all-conference linebacker Elijawah Tolbert has left the Panther program for a second time.
Tolbert was not in uniform or on the sidelines during EIU’s Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association game against Lindenwood Saturday at O’Brien Field in Charleston, according to the Eastern radio broadcast.
EIU broadcaster Mike Bradd said that Tolbert had decided “to redshirt.”
Tolbert is likely to transfer since redshirting would preserve his final year of eligibility.
He was removed from the roster posted on the EIU athletics website Monday.
Asked to comment on the situation during Tuesday’s weekly media conference call, EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said, “I really don’t want to talk about anybody that’s no longer with our program.”
Prairie State Pigskin also reached out to Tolbert for comment. After initially agreeing to talk after Saturday’s game, Tolbert did not respond to follow-up text messages.
A look back
Tolbert entered the transfer portal after last season and enrolled at FCS Missouri State for the spring semester.
However, the 2021 Hillcrest High School graduate announced his return to Eastern Illinois in June via social media.
Through four games this season, Tolbert led the Panthers with 38 tackles. He was credited with three tackles for loss, an interception and half a sack.
In June, Tolbert said his return to EIU was “in God’s hands,” adding that he “realized how good of a program EIU is.”
Tolbert further explained his rationale for his return in a Prairie State Pigskin story by saying, “It’s not always about what other programs have to offer. It’s about the culture.”
Tolbert appeared in 26 games in his EIU career, registering 155 tackles (80 solo, 75 assists). He was credited with 10.5 tackles for loss and half a sack.
Tolbert grabbed five interceptions and was credited with eight passes defended. He also forced two fumbles.
Barry Bottino contributed to this story.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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