Illinois backup quarterback Aaron Bailey has announced that he will transfer from the program. Despite being among the top recruits from the 2013 class, Bailey has seen limited game action during his first two seasons.
Bailey, a dual-threat quarterback, got buried behind Wes Hunt on the depth chart once Hunt got wind of the starting job. In the few times Bailey has seen the field, he was used primarily in the running game; the Fighting Illini coaches even spoke with Bailey about having him switch positions.
Bailey, however, wants to lead a collegiate offense and will look to find a starting gig somewhere else.
“No. Just quarterback,” Bailey said per the News-Gazette. “I enjoy having the ball in my hand. I enjoy the pressure of winning and losing. I feel like, with the ball in my hand, I can create a lot of things. Being at a different position, you may not necessarily get the ball every play, but at quarterback, whether it´s a good play or bad play, I´d rather take that pressure and put it on me.”
In the 2014 season, Illinois finished 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten conference. Although the Fighting Illini offense struggled throughout much of the year, Bailey was unlikely to see his playing time increase during next season and has made the decision to transfer. Through three seasons, head coach Tim Beckham has done an excellent job rebuilding the Illinois squad and clearly he understands the repercussions of his decision to allow Bailey to transfer. Still, it will take a series of strong recruiting classes before the Fighting Illini will be able to compete for a Big Ten title, however, Beckman is the man to guide them there.
*Section Photo credit to Bradley Leeb, USA Today Sports; Featured Photo (above) credit to Daryl Quitalig, Daily Illini
