Running back Josh Robinson played two years at Illinois State and one season at Lamar University before transferring to Western Illinois this offseason. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
Both Josh Robinson and Quenton Rogers are more than familiar with Illinois FCS programs.
The duo – part of a 26-player, mid-year transfer class that joined the Western Illinois program – has previous experience at other state schools.
Robinson signed with Illinois State out of Bolingbrook High School in 2023. The 6-foot, 205-pound running back spent two seasons with the Redbirds, rushing 35 times for 214 yards and a touchdown.
Rogers, a wide receiver who prepped at Mahomet-Seymour High School, played three seasons at Eastern Illinois, where he caught 23 passes for 354 yards and one touchdown.
Both players said head coach Joe Davis was a major reason they chose WIU after entering the transfer portal.
“He was my offensive coordinator back at Eastern (in 2023),” Rogers said. “We already had a little bit of a connection. I’m grateful that he gave me an opportunity to come play here.”
Robinson, who spent last fall at Beaumont, Texas-based Lamar, wanted to get closer to home.
“Coach Davis reached out. He told me how family-oriented he is and his plans for the program,” Robinson said. “It meant a lot to me that he, as the head coach, reached out personally. I’m big on family and relationships, so it was the right fit.”
Prior to his time at Bolingbrook, Robinson played at Montini High School in Lombard where he was teammates with WIU offensive linemen Jeremiah Banks-Wall and Dagen Miller.
“They told me more about the program,” he said.
At Lamar, Robinson rushed for 186 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries. He caught two passes for 18 yards for a Cardinal team that qualified for the FCS playoffs.
Both players said that Davis’ strength is checking in on his players.
“He’s constantly making sure everything is good,” Robinson said. “Coach Davis has high expectations for this program. He has high standards for workouts.”
Rogers said: “He wants to know his players and not just as players, but on a deeper, personal level. He wants the team to connect and build that connection for the season.”
Rogers, who suffered through an injury-plagued 2025 season in which he played two games, said he was looking for “a culture change.” Rogers views Davis as a catalyst.
“He’s the guy that just wants to win. That’s what a lot of us like about him,” Rogers said. “He brings that fire to the team. He wants to get the job done and execute at a high level. He’s very football smart.”
Added incentive
Both players will also get the opportunity to play against their former teams this fall.
Western opens its season Sept. 5, hosting Illinois State at Hanson Field in a non-conference game. The Leathernecks play an OVC-Big South game Nov. 7 at Eastern Illinois.
“A lot of my friends and my old roommate are there,” Robinson said of ISU. “When I found out we played them, I was really excited.”
“It’s going to be pretty fun,” Rogers said. “I have a lot of boys over there. Hopefully, we can have a good game and show them what’s up and win.”
Breaking down the transfers
Western brought in 15 players on defense and 11 on offense.
The Leathernecks were heaviest in the defensive backfield with seven transfers for that unit. WIU added five linebackers and three defensive linemen.
Western signed four wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two running backs, two linemen and a tight end.
WIU’s Mid-Year 2026 Signing List
(Name, Position(s), Height, Weight, Hometown, School)
Devon Anderson, LB, 6-2, 220, Germantown, Md., Central Connecticut State University
Antonio Dobbins, LB, 5-11, 225, Bethlehem, Penn., Bloomington University
Christian Garrett, DB, 6-3, 205, Washington, DC, Delaware State
Lukas Gilland, WR, 6-0, 185, Mineral, Ohio, St. Francis University
Brayden Hapner, CB, 5-11, 180, Palm Springs, Calif., Mt. San Antonio College
David Hargro, TE, 6-4, 230, Forest City, N.C., Mars Hill University
Chance Harrison, DB, 6-0, 175, Oxnard, Calif., Colorado State
Delaney Fludd, DL, 6-3, 290, Oakdale, Conn., St. Thomas Moore
Israel Hiraldo, WR, 6-0, 200, Providence, R.I., Post University
Ihson Johnson-Anderson, RB, 5-10, 200, Flint, Mich., Wofford
Jacob Kania, WR, 6-1, 201, Lake Minneola, Fla., Iowa Central Community College
Cidney Johnson, DL, 6-4, 250, Baltimore, Md., Merrimack College
Jack Larson, DL, 6-2, 280, Petaluma, Calif., Santa Rosa Community College
Kennedy McGill, QB, 6-1, 220, Bothell, Wash., Central Washington
Elia Ofosu, S, 6-0, 200, Vicenza, Italy, Glenville State
Nevin Poppy, LB, 6-4, 220, Wausau, Wis., Ellsworth Community College
Nick Reinicke, LB, 6-4, 235, Dike, Iowa, Iowa State
Joshua Robinson, RB, 6-0, 205, Bolingbrook, Ill., Lamar
Quenton Rodgers, WR, 6-2, 195, Mahomet, Ill., Eastern Illinois
Jouvenson Romulus, DB, 6-2, 185, Hyde Park, Mass., Wagner
Alexie Sangster, S, 6-0, 200, Bethlehem, Penn., California (Pa.)
Kaden Sleets, DB, 6-1, 190, Oak Park, Ill., UW–Whitewater
Anthony Stribling, LB, 6-1, 230, Pittsburgh, Penn., Seton Hill University
Gage Sturgill, QB, 6-0, 185, Noblesville, Ind., Fishers High School
JJ Torres, OL, 6-4, 315, Harrisburg, Penn., Millersville University
Tre Webster, OL, 6-4, 290, Gaithersburg, Md., West Virginia Wesleyan
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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