Jan. 26--Illinois linebacker T.J. Neal will leave Illinois as a graduate transfer to finish his career elsewhere, a team spokesman confirmed.
Neal will be eligible to play this coming season at another FBS program. Illinois has restricted him from competing at any team that is on the 2016 Illini schedule.
The two-year starter finished second on the team last season with 109 tackles.
The Illinois football team is losing six of its seven top tacklers from last season and all of its starters at linebacker. Backup linebackers LaKeith Walls and B.J. Bellows have also announced their plans to transfer.
