Illinois tight end Louis Dorsey announced Monday night that he is transferring from the program.
“I’m thankful for my opportunities to play here at the University of Illinois,” he tweeted. “Unfortunately I have decided it is in my best interest to transfer and continue my career elsewhere. Thank you to coach Patterson and the staff for giving me a chance and thank you to the fans for the support. My teammates will always be my brothers I’m going to miss y’all. I am open to talking to all schools to find where my career will continue.”
Dorsey missed the first three games of the season and all of the spring practices because of a violation of unspecified team rules.
“Players leave,” coach Lovie Smith told reporters after Tuesday’s practice in Champaign, according to Illini Inquirer. “We want players who want to be here. Our focus is on them. Divorce is good sometimes.”
He is the fourth Illinois player to leave since the start of the season. Sophomore safety Bennett Williams was dismissed from the team last week following a lengthy suspension. Quarterback Cam Thomas announced he was transferring after the opening week, and tackle Reuben Unije also departed from the team in September.
“Not at all,” Smith said when asked about concerns of Williams and Dorsey. “They’re players who didn’t need to be in our program. They’re not here anymore. We’re pumped up about the guys who are in our program right now.”
Dorsey did not say to where he will transfer. He will need to sit out this season.
Dorsey, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound sophomore, showed promise his freshman season when he caught 22 passes for 395 yards. After being brought back into games after his suspension this season, he saw no game action at Rutgers and appeared rusty dropping passes against Purdue last weekend.
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