Receiver Allen Middleton, who caught 32 passes for Southern Illinois two seasons ago, returns to the Salukis from FBS Bowling Green. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Dan Verdun
With the trimmed down transfer portal window closed and spring semester classes and winter workouts in full swing, Prairie State Pigskin breaks down where the Illinois FCS programs stand.
Last month brought mid-year transfers from all levels – including junior colleges and NAIA programs – for Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois and Illinois State.
Today, the focus is on FBS-to-FCS movement and FCS-to-FCS additions, along with players that have left for FBS programs. (Note: Chicago State has not posted an official roster on its website as of Feb. 22.)
Illinois FCS comings & goings for the spring semester
(Last updated Feb. 22, 2026)
Who’s in?
FBS to FCS
EIU (5)
DL Daniel Viramontes (Sr.) from Central Michigan
DL Erik Hehl (Sr.) from UMass
DL Adam Kaminski (Soph.) from Central Michigan
OL Cole Roberson (Jr.) from Jacksonville State
QB Jeremiah Salem (Sr.) from Eastern Michigan
ISU (4)
DE Aden Cannon (Sr.) from Indiana
DB Key Crowell (Jr.) from East Carolina
OL Duncan MacDonald (Sr.) from Vanderbilt
QB Gage Roy (Sr.) from USC
SIU (4)
WR Traivon Dyson (Sr.) from UNLV
OL Kellen Francis (Jr.) from Illinois
DT ShuMond Johnson (Soph.) from Troy
WR Allen Middleton (Jr.) from Bowling Green
WIU (2)
DB Chance Harrison (Soph.) from Colorado State
LB Nick Reinicke (Jr.) from Iowa State
FCS to FCS
EIU (4)
LB Lonnie Burt (Jr.) from Portland State
OL Antoine De Lau (Sr.) from Delaware State
DB Nasir Maryland (Sr.) from Merrimack
DL Premiere Whitley (Sr.) from Prairie View A&M
ISU (2)
TE Alex Herrera (Sr.) from Eastern Illinois
WR Ethan Loss (Sr.) from Butler
SIU (4)
DL Lance Bassett (Jr.) from North Alabama
OL Luis Gastelum (Sr.) from UAlbany
CB Joshua Newkirk (Jr.) from Lindenwood
WR Markell Quick (Sr.) from Chattanooga
WIU (9)
LB Devon Anderson (Sr.) from Central Connecticut State
DB Christian Garrett (Jr.) from Delaware State
WR Lucas Gilland (Soph.) from Saint Francis
RB Ihson Jackson-Anderson (Sr.) from Wofford
DL Cidney Johnson (Sr.) from Merrimack
P Sam Knoll (RS-Fr.) from North Dakota State
RB Josh Robinson (Jr.) from Lamar
WR Quenton Rogers (Jr.) from Eastern Illinois
DB Jouvenson Romulus (Sr.) from Wagner
Who’s out … to FBS?
EIU (2)
OL Nic DiSanto (Sr.) to Central Michigan
CB Isaiah Houi (Jr.) to Oregon State
OL Kwan Johnson (RS-Fr.) to Oregon State
ISU (6)
LB Patrick Bauer (Jr.) to Cincinnati
DB CJ Richard (Soph.) to Florida State
RB Mason King (Sr.) to Kent State
DL Christian Lorenzo (Sr.) to North Texas
OL Brandon Smith (Sr.) to Western Michigan
DL Jake Anderson (Sr.) to Wisconsin
SIU (1)
TE Ryan Schwendeman (Sr.) to Wisconsin
WIU (3)
OL Matt Montgomery (Soph.) to San Diego State
DB Esteban Guillory (Sr.) to UTEP
RB Markell Holman (Sr.) to Wyoming
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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