Illinois is losing another one of its top defenders, according to reports.

Wednesday morning, Jeremy Werner of Illini Inquirer tweeted that News Gazette’s Bob Asmussen reported Illini defensive tackle Tito Odenigbo was intending to transfer from the program. He becomes the third key defender to leave.

The News-Gazette's @BobAsmussen reports that DT Tito Odenigbo is transferring too. Haven't officially confirmed yet, but this was another one that was expected.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 29, 2017

Odenigbo joins linebacker Tre Watson and safety Patrick Nelson to leave the program. According to Werner, Odenigbo will graduate from the University of Illinois and will be immediately eligible to participate.

A redshirt junior, Odenigbo totaled 29 stops and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2017 as the Illini finished 2-10. For his career, he started in five games and recorded 47 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.

Illinois started a number of underclassman last season but some of the key veterans have decided to part ways. The Illini will be extremely young again in 2018.