Bret Bielema’s Illinois defense just got a little bigger and a little deeper at the point of attack.

The Illini secured a transfer pledge from former Northwestern nose guard TeRah Edwards on Tuesday. The big man announced his commitment on Twitter.

The 6-foot-2, 294-pound defensive lineman played in just 5 games over his first 2 seasons in Evanston. A redshirt year taken during his first season on campus and a freeze on eligibility means he could still play up to 4 seasons for the Illini, should he choose.

A 3-star prospect out of Ohio in the Class of 2020, Edwards played on both sides of the line as a high school player. He settled on defense in Evanston and should provide some much-needed depth for Illinois by staying in-state.

Roderick Perry has exhausted his eligibility, and his primary backups are lacking in starting experience. Edwards should give line coach Terrance Jamison one more option to work with going into the offseason.