Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson is 75 pounds lighter this spring after a change to healthier eating habits. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
CHARLESTON – The 2025 Eastern Illinois season opener against Dayton provided plenty of good memories.
The Panthers beat Dayton, 24-14, on the strength of a record-setting performance by quarterback Cole LaCrue. There was also an appearance at EIU by Jon Gruden, a Dayton alum, that included the former NFL coach visiting with players, coaches and fans from both teams.
One memory of that day, however, stung EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson.
“I saw a picture of myself with Coach Gruden, and I was embarrassed,” he said.
That photo led to a lifestyle change for Wilkerson and his wife Sharna, a former EIU softball standout.
When Coach Wilkerson took the field Saturday for the EIU spring game, he was 75 pounds lighter than last fall.
“Sharna and I have changed our lifestyle and what we eat,” he said. “I always worked out, but I wasn’t very diligent about my eating habits.”
Wilkerson said the weight loss has provided numerous benefits.
“I feel a lot better,” said the former EIU defensive lineman. “My joints don’t hurt. I’ve got more energy. It’s a lot easier to continue to stay active.”
QB connections
All four quarterbacks on the roster got work during the spring game as part of a competition that will continue into the fall, according to Wilkerson.
“All four have shown some flashes that they could be the guy, and all four have made their share of mistakes,” he said. “As we continue to move forward, these guys will keep gaining experience. We know our quarterback room, as a whole, is better than last fall right now.”
On Saturday, in the Blue (defense) team’s 41-28 win in a modified scoring system against the White team, returnee Cole LaCrue threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eli Evans. Eastern Michigan transfer Jeremiah Salem completed a long pass on the first drive of the game to wideout Landers Green to set up a rushing TD by returning running back Charles Kellom.
Junior college transfer Jazel Riley IV showed off his dual-threat ability on occasion while fellow juco addition Payton Faker was named most improved QB after the game.
Roster changes
Over the next month, Wilkerson said the Panthers will have several roster additions.
Despite the transfer portal being closed to FBS and FCS players, there are plenty of options.
Wilkerson explained: “There are a number of (D-I) players still left in the portal after that first (and only) window.”
In addition, junior college players who graduate in May will be available, along with December juco grads who have yet to find a new home.
“There are also hundreds – and it might be close to 1,000 – Division II and Division III players now entering the portal because they don’t have the one-window rule,” Wilkerson said.
With any addition, however, EIU’s coach said the staff is seeking to find just the right type of athlete and student. “They’ve got to fit here. It will always be about recruiting, attracting and retaining the right person.”
RB rundown
The Panthers return Kellom, who started all 12 games a year ago, but he’s not the only back that has turned heads.
Wilkerson said he’s excited about the potential for the entire running back group.
Kellom, a redshirt senior who was named a team captain Saturday along with linebacker Ja’Wuan Nickson, rushed for a team-high 711 yards a year ago and three TDs. Also back is redshirt sophomore Jacarre “Smoke” Fleming, who played in nine games, including a 111-yard, two-touchdown effort against Western Illinois.
Juco addition Tyren Buggs, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound sophomore, showed off a physical running style in the spring game.
What has Wilkerson seen from the group?
“Talent,” he said. “C.K. is a rock-solid workhorse for us. Smoke is continuing to develop, and Buggs is a great addition.”
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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