Illinois DL transfer Anthony Johnson releases top four schools

Illinois defensive lineman Anthony Johnson is focusing in on his list of top portal destinations.

Sources tell On3 that the former Youngstown State transfer is down to four schools: Michigan State, Mississippi State, Pitt and Arkansas.

The Razorbacks have been eyeing a defensive tackle since the portal window opened. Johnson is currently on a Mississippi State visit and already made his official visit to Michigan State.

Johnson is heading into his fifth collegiate season after a redshirt year at Bowling Green and the past three at Youngstown State. In three years with the Penguins, Johnson posted 36 tackles and five sacks. That included this past fall where he had a career year with 22 tackles and four sacks.

What is the transfer portal?

The spring transfer portal window is just 15 days, a crammed period that could reshape the 2024 college football offseason. The portal tool was launched in 2018 to allow athletes to be more involved in the process of transferring. Athletes must notify institutions of their intent to transfer. Each school’s compliance team has 48 hours to put a name into the portal. 

After an athlete is officially in the portal, there is no rush on making a decision as long as they are properly enrolled at a new institution in time for fall camp. Commitments do not have to be made during the 15-day window. Grad transfers are allowed to enter the portal at any time. 

Roster retention will be crucial for programs, with NIL playing a vital role in keeping rosters together in the new age of college football. Exactly 645 FBS players transferred in last year’s spring window.