Illinois, fresh off an impressive 9-3 regular season in 2024, looks to be getting a big boost for 2025 with the expected transfer of defensive lineman Curt Neal to Champaign, according to Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of 247Sports.

The sophomore from North Carolina looks to be staying in the Big Ten after transferring from Wisconsin. The 6-foot, 290-pounder was a starter this past season for the Badgers, recording 29 tackles, 14 of them solo, and half a sack.

Neal announced in early December that he was leaving Madison, well before the transfer portal window even opened on Dec. 9. Neal was going to be a rising redshirt junior for Wisconsin after taking on that full-time starter role this year, but he’s apparently decided to bolt for a fellow Big Ten program that gained steam in 2024.

Neal played 433 snaps over 12 games for Wisconsin in 2024, registering 10 quarterback pressures for the Badgers.

While none of Neal’s numbers are that outstanding, the Badgers are losing a starter at a position where they’re already struggling with depth, which could lead to an even bigger hole to fill for 2025.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s loss is Illinois‘ gain. The Fighting Illini are getting ready for the Citrus Bowl against South Carolina on New Year’s Eve, where they will try for a double-digit win season under Bret Bielema.