Transfer might add depth on defensive line
Occasional starter at Illinois reportedly joining Hurricanes.
MIAMI — Miami has added a former Illinois defensive tackle as a graduate transfer, according to recruiting websites on both sides of the move.
Illinois’ 247Sports site reported (as Miami’s 247Sports site did later) that Tito Odenigbo is on his way to Coral Gables.
A UM spokesperson said the school couldn’t confirm those reports.
Odenigbo, listed at 6 feet 3 and 290 pounds, started four games at tackle last season and played in 10. He tied for second on the Illini with 4.5 tackles for loss, had 29 tackles, one sack and two pass breakups.
He was a three-star recruit in 2014, and was ranked No. 66 among defensive tack- les by ESPN. He played in 27 games, 21 the past two years, with one start in 2016 and four last year. An Illinois reporter called him a “ser- viceable” backup.
Miami needs depth at defensive tackle. The Hurricanes lost starters Kend- rick Norton and RJ McIn- tosh, both of whom decided to skip their senior years and declared for the NFL draft. Senior Anthony Moten, a reli- able player, graduated. Little-used reserve Ryan Fines transferred.
UM gets Gerald Willis, a former blue-chip recruit, back from a yearlong absence; he left the team for a stretch last summer because of what the team called personal reasons, returned and worked on UM’s scout team last fall. Given his practice performance — coach Mark Richt called him a “terror” — it would not be a surprise to see the redshirt senior play a primary role in 2018.
Others possibilities include junior Pat Bethel, 6-5, 300pound sophomore Jon Ford, any freshmen who sign (fourstar Army All-American Nesta Silvera is committed, and the Hurricanes are recruiting four-star Kissimmee-based Dennis Briggs and others), redshirt sophomore Tyreic Martin (yet to make his debut in a game) and of course, the new grad transfer.
Odenigbo — first name Otitodilinna — grew up in Centerville, Ohio, and was an Illini fan. One of his brothers, Ifeadi, played defensive
end for Northwestern and spent time last year on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. He turns 22 in July. His last name is pronounced oh-DEN-uh-bo, according to Illinois.
Odenigbo was viewed as a key defensive transfer from Illinois, which finished 2-10 last year. He was ejected from his last game with the Illini for tossing a flag back at a referee.