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Ex-Illinois WR Desmond Cain announces he’ll transfer to North Dakota State

Connor O'Gara

By Connor O'Gara

Published:

In 2016, North Dakota State took down a B1G team. In 2017, North Dakota State took a B1G transfer.

Former Illinois receiver Desmond Cain, who announced his intentions to leave Champaign back in December, tweeted that he’ll be attending NDSU next year:

After he broke out with 52 catches for 493 yards and a touchdown in 2015, Cain was reduced to a lesser role in Lovie Smith’s first season. A lack of playing time and a hamstring injury limited him to just five catches in six games in 2016.

Interesting was the fact that Cain made sure to thank former Illini coaches Tim Beckman and Bill Cubit, but not Smith. Cain was recruited by Beckman and given a chance to succeed in Cubit’s offense.

Obviously Cain wasn’t happy with his role after Smith took over. Still, it’s rare that any player makes even a subtle public jab at Smith.

Shade or no shade, Cain will now get to work with the high-powered Bison and have a chance to compete for FCS national titles.

Connor O'Gara

Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.