CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Junior wide receiver Malik Elzy will sit out the remainder of the 2025 season with the Illinois football team and enter the transfer portal.

Following the Illini's win over USC, Head Coach Bret Bielema revealed the decision and conversations he had with the wide out.

"He wanted to redshirt, and for us in our program, I just kind of made the decision," Bielema said. "We started this year with a roster that we felt really strong about. If someone doesn't want to be a part of that and wants a redshirt, then I can't keep them."

On Sunday, Elzy posted his decision and a statement on his X account.

In his three seasons at Illinois, Elzy had 16 receptions for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns. Through four games in 2025, he caught 7 passes for 84 yards. Prior to the season, many considered him in contention for the leading receiver slot.

Bielema added he wants to help Elzy find a place where he can perform at a high level.

"He's an incredible kid from the Chicagoland area that I would recruit a hundred times over again," Bielema said. "Some of the conversations after he told me what he was gonna do, I said 'All I want is, I want you to have success. I don't care where it's at or where it's gonna be and what it entails, I want you to be successful.'"

Elzy was listed as "Out" for the Illini homecoming game against USC.

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