Illinois’ loss will turn into SMU’s gain as we begin tidying some news & notes up from an extended Memorial Day weekend.
Pat Nelson announced on his personal Twitter account this past week that he will be transferring from Illinois. Not only that, but the safety revealed his transfer destination in the same tweet -- the AAC’s SMU Mustangs.
Nelson is leaving Champaign as a graduate transfer, giving him immediate eligibility with the Mustangs in 2018. As a bonus, the Illinois native will have another season of eligibility he can use in 2019.
It has been an amazing 3 years at the University of Illinois....... Next Chapter 🔵🔴 #PonyUpDallas #GodsPlan #SMU pic.twitter.com/pTCFJr5OhE
— Pat Nelson (@BigBossPat) May 24, 2018
A three-star 2015 signee, Nelson missed his entire true freshman season because of injury. Each of the past two seasons, however, he’s finished third on the Fighting Illini in tackles -- 65 this past season, 75 in 2016. He ended the Illini portion of his playing career with five tackles for loss, a sack and a pair of fumble recoveries.