Brandon Peters explains decision to return to Illinois for one more season

Brandon Peters is returning for the 2021 season, the Illinois quarterback affirming on Tuesday that he is not leaving the program.

It is big news for the Illini and head coach Brett Bielema as the return of Peters affords another seasoned and proven quarterback for the rebuilding project.

Last season, Peters was limited to just three games due to the fallout from COVID-19 protocols.

In 2019, Peters, a transfer from Michigan, was more than solid. He finished the season with 1,884 passing yards alongside 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Peters entered this past season as the Illini’s starting quarterback as well as a co-captain.

On Tuesday, he spoke about his decision to return to Champaign:

#illini QB Brandon Peters made decision to return to Illinois before he met with Bielema but wanted to make sure new HC wanted him. He did.

"Nothing's guaranteed. I'm going to have to come in and compete. …I know I'm going to have to compete and go win the job." pic.twitter.com/iPfBrLaArA

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 29, 2020

#illini QB Brandon Peters said he hasn't yet chatted with new OC Tony Petersen but did some research on him and was impressed with his development of Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich at Marshall.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 29, 2020

#illini QB Brandon Peters: "I wish KG wouldn't have left, but he's got to do what's best for him. …But we got some great ones coming back" on the OL.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 29, 2020

#illini QB Brandon Peters: "I'm going to be a very educated guy by the time I'm done with college football."

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 29, 2020

#illini QB Brandon Peters relays that Bret Bielema told him "the new system is going to be good for me." But he'll have to compete.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 29, 2020