Illinois first-year LB, former Oklahoma commit Laine Jenkins enters transfer portal

A first-year Big Ten player has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Illinois outside linebacker Laine Jenkins, a 2023 JUCO signee and former Oklahoma commit, went into the transfer portal Friday morning, On3 has learned.

Jenkins committed to Oklahoma in May, but the Sooners and Jenkins then parted ways a few days later after he decided to take a visit to Illinois, according to Sooner Scoop. He ended up signing with the Fighting Illini. Now, less than four months later, he’s set to leave Illinois.

“We’re not trying to force commitments. Do not commit (to Oklahoma) until you’re ready to commit here. Because a commitment is not a reservation,” Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables told Sooner Scoop about the Sooners’ commitment policy in March. “Teach young people what commitment means. I’m not going to apologize. We tell them, take as many visits as you want. I think personally that the Oklahoma brand will really stick out. … You may not come here but I’m glad you didn’t if you weren’t ready to make a deep-seeded commitment.

“Because it’s a two-way street. Some people, even the coaches, are bad examples. They’ll take a commitment and then three days before signing day they’ll call the kid that has been committed for a year and say ‘oh by the way, we don’t have a spot for you because I found a kid better than you’. That’s bad form. That’s kind of where we are. People lack a moral compass. I’m not going to apologize for having a moral compass. I want to teach our young people what commitment is, what it looks like.”

Jenkins, who spent last season at Butler Community College, ranked as the fifth-best JUCO defensive lineman and 21st-best overall JUCO prospect in the 2023 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Jenkins posted eight tackles and a sack at Butler last year.

Illinois is entering its third season with Bret Bielema as its head coach. The Illini finished last season 8-5. They open this season with a home matchup against Toledo Saturday.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.