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Former USC quarterback Matt Fink has made his transfer decision. According to a report from Brady McCollough of the Los Angeles Times, the former three-star signal-caller is heading to the Big Ten with the hopes of finally getting the opportunity to start.
McCollough reported on Tuesday, May 7, that Fink will be heading to the Midwest to join Lovie Smith and the Illinois Fighting Illini football program.
“Matt Fink’s father, Mike, confirms @latsondheimer report that USC grad transfer QB Matt Fink is headed to Illinois. Mike Fink said Lovie Smith made it clear to Matt he’ll be needed in a leadership role and will have every chance to win the starting job this fall,” McCollough wrote.
“What is Illinois getting? A runner who can do damage in the open field, a passer who improved noticeably by the end of spring, and a player so emotional he had Graham Harrell genuinely marveling at his competitiveness. Fink’s main obstacle, to Harrell, was harnessing all of that.”
Matt Fink's father, Mike, confirms @latsondheimer report that USC grad transfer QB Matt Fink is headed to Illinois. Mike Fink said Lovie Smith made it clear to Matt he'll be needed in a leadership role and will have every chance to win the starting job this fall.
— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) May 6, 2019
The news comes shortly after MJ Rivers entered the transfer portal. He was the only Illinois quarterback who had starting experience, leaving Fink, Matt Robenson, Coran Taylor, and Isaiah Williams as the quarterbacks on the roster. Williams is a true freshman, while Robenson and Taylor are redshirt freshmen.
Illinois kicks off its 2019 campaign against the Akron Zips on August 31.