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Illinois freshman offensive lineman no longer with program
Published:
Illinois’ offensive line got a little bit thinner this week.
According to the Illini Inquirer, freshman offensive tackle Reuben Unije is no longer on the team. The report comes directly from Lovie Smith, who told the Illini Inquirer about the situation.
Unije has left the team due to “personal reasons,” according to the report. He did not see the field this fall.
“We wish him well,” Smith told the Illini Inquirer. “Sometimes it just doesn’t work out with a player and a team. This is one of those cases.”
Unije was a 3-star prospect out of IMG Academy and was a member of Illinois’ 2018 recruiting class. He had offers from several Power Five programs, including Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
There was no indication whether playing time was an issue for Unije or if he was looking to continue his football career at another school.
Illinois travels to Piscataway to take on Rutgers this weekend.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB