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Illinois basketball player Ty Rodgers mysteriously pulled himself from the lineup just hours ahead of the team’s season opener against Eastern Illinois.
He’s reportedly spoken to head coach Brad Underwood and intends to sit out the entire year.
Rodgers played a major role in the 2023 season, averaging 6.2 points and 5.3 boards across 38 starts. He helped the team reach Elite Eight this past March and was one of just two scholarship players returning from last year’s roster.
The Illini will now be down to one!
NEWS: #Illini wing Ty Rodgers is not playing tonight because he met with Brad Underwood and has decided to redshirt this season. pic.twitter.com/PYFn3DaIsX
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 4, 2024
The reason for the surprise redshirt is still unknown.
Is he planning to come back and play for the Illini in 2025? Has another team reached out? Will he transfer at year’s end?
Time will tell.
The redshirt decision mirrors a trend that’s been seen throughout the college football season as players unhappy with either playing time or unfulfilled NIL promises opt to shut it down and preserve a year of eligibility.
Matt Sluka of UNLV made major headlines this fall by pulling himself out of the starting lineup after leading the Rebels to a perfect 3-0 start. His decision to stay on the sidelines was reportedly due to his being swindled out of nearly $100,000 by the school.
Others have made similar decisions when seeing the writing on the wall in regard to their position on the depth chart.
Interestingly enough, it’s not the first time Brad Underwood’s experienced this situation. Last year, Sencire Harris called it quits after Game 1. He ultimately transferred to West Virginia.
Ty Rodgers would’ve likely played a large role in the Illinois basketball season. It will be interesting to see what his future has in store.