Wisconsin defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. signed with Illinois on Wednesday, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Thompson is the 12th Wisconsin transfer to find a new destination. He is the third former Badger, all three defensive starters, to sign with the Fighting Illini, joining defensive tackle Curt Neal and outside linebacker Leon Lowery
Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker
Thompson entered the transfer portal earlier this month after five years with the Badgers. He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020.
The veteran tackle emerged as a primary force on the Badgers’ defensive front in 2022, totaling 23 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks. He backed that up with a strong 2023 campaign: 29 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass deflections. Thompson Jr. then missed the majority of the 2024 campaign due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in training camp. He returned to play seven snaps in the Badgers’ Week 13 loss at Nebraska, but did not see the field during their season finale against Minnesota.
He joins an Illinois program that recently wrapped up a 9-3 regular season. It enters its bowl game against South Carolina with a chance to clinch the program’s first 10-win season since 2001.
Wisconsin defensive lineman James Thompson has signed with Illinois, @On3sports has learned. https://t.co/wMrfFrdlE6 pic.twitter.com/Y1r1xil7hv
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 25, 2024
Bret Bielema continues to target former Wisconsin players and coaches for his Illinois program: He seems to be attempting to replicate the Badgers’ approach during the mid-2000s. Former Wisconsin stars Aaron Henry (defensive coordinator) and Terrance Jamison (defensive line coach) lead his coaching staff. Wisconsin program Jim Leonhard was an analyst with the program in 2023 before moving to the NFL.
Now, Bielema’s defense will be led by three former Wisconsin starters: Thompson Jr., Neal and Lowery. The Badgers will get a first-hand look at how that strategy works out. They host the Fighting Illini in 2025.
Wisconsin has done well in addressing defensive line this portal cycle with commitments from Parker Petersen (Tulane), Corey Walker (Western Michigan), Charles Perkins (UT-Martin) and Michael Garner (Grambling State). The comparison point between the Badgers’ new-look group and that from the previous two seasons will be evident when they meet the Fighting Illini on Nov. 22.
For more on where former Wisconsin transfers will play in 2025, bookmark our transfer departure tracker.
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