Over the last few seasons, Lovie Smith has done an excellent job of recruiting players from the transfer portal and bringing them to Illinois. On Thursday, the Fighting Illini added another transfer to the roster.

Former New Mexico State wide receiver Desmond Dan announced on Thursday evening that he will be finishing his college football career at Illinois. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound wideout had entered the NCAA transfer portal in January and took a few months to explore his options before settling on a destination.

https://twitter.com/drewdan11/status/1248414244833378304?s=21

Dan totaled 37 catches for 491 yards and three touchdowns during the 2018 season at New Mexico State, but suffered a season-ending injury after just three games in the 2019 campaign. He will have at least one year of eligibility remaining, and because he’s eligible for a medical redshirt, Dan could potentially have two seasons remaining in his career.

Last season, Dan totaled five receptions for 49 yards in the three games before the injury.

Illinois returns a solid group at the wide receiver position, but one that has been injury-prone in the past. Dan will join Josh Imatorbhebhe, Trevon Sidney and Ricky Smalling in the receiver room in Champaign.

The Illini were 6-7 last season, earning a trip to the Redbox Bowl.