No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini had a massive 34-32 win over No. 21 USC. Illinois drove down and hit a 41yd game-winning FG to improve to 4-1 on the year. This game is a bounce back after suffering the 63-10 loss to Indiana. But even in victory, the Bret Bielema has to deal with an important loss.

Malik Elzy won’t be waiting anymore. The four-star receiver from Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois’ highest-rated recruit since 2019, has entered the transfer portal. The move also comes with Elzy’s decision to redshirt this season, effectively pressing pause on his development while keeping eligibility intact. Head coach Bret Bielema confirmed after the USC win that Elzy was leaving, while his agent Aaron Garland explained the plan to On3’s. “Update on one of my clients. Malik Elzy has decided to redshirt this season — this is a strategic move to fully develop and prepare himself to maximize his potential for the rest of his college career.”

Garland added, “He’s extremely grateful to Illinois, the coaches, teammates, and fans for their support, and he leaves with respect for the program. Malik was the Illini’s highest-rated recruit since 2019, and we’re confident this redshirt year will set him up to live up to that potential moving forward.” Sadly, Illinois fans aren’t too grateful with the timing of his move. Elzy showed flashes but never became the star the recruiting rankings promised.

In 2025, he managed just 84 yards receiving. This is actually his best start as he could only get 77 yards in total in 2024 and 52 in 2023. He was absent in the win over USC. For a player once hailed as a future cornerstone, the stat sheet never matched the hype. The timing of his departure makes it worse, given Illinois had just delivered one of their biggest wins under Bielema.

Elzy himself spoke about loyalty back in the preseason, telling Orange & Blue News, “I made a choice to come here and I’ve been faithful ever since I was a kid. Loyalty means a lot to me. I committed to this school. I committed to Coach B(ielema). I feel like that’s going to pay off in the long run.” Those words now hang awkwardly as he packs his bags after just five games in 2025. He’s betting on himself, yes, but for fans who watched him arrive as a hometown hero, the departure cuts deep.

Fighting Illini isn’t even fighting over Malik anymore

Fans, as always, didn’t hold back under the post. One comment summed up the confusion, saying, “I’m guessing broken promises cause this doesn’t make much since.” That’s been the suspicion floating around. That somewhere behind closed doors, promises weren’t met. Whether it was playing time, role in the offense, or NIL dynamics, the move leaves more questions than answers.

Another frustrated voice asked, “Couldn’t wait until after the year and after a big win? I wouldn’t pick him up if I were a coach!” Timing is everything, and in this case the optics are brutal. That’s not a chapter that screams team-first to outsiders, and potential suitors will no doubt weigh that.

Then came the blunt disbelief: “After the game and team win is crazy.” It’s the shock factor that has fans reeling. Instead of a celebratory Sunday, they’re trying to reconcile a transfer announcement that dropped like cold water on a roaring bonfire. It highlights how fluid the portal era is.

One fan went regional, asking, “Whats going on in Chicago.” Elzy was supposed to be the bridge between the city’s talent and Illinois’ program, and his exit throws that narrative into doubt. Another just laughed at the irony, writing, “Didn’t they just win a big game? Lol.” That “lol” lands heavy, because it captures the absurd duality Illinois is living through.