CHAMPAIGN _ Milo Eifler could have stayed in Seattle and played this year for Pac-12 favorite Washington. But the linebacker wanted a change.
He found it at Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder is sitting out this season and will be eligible in 2019. He has two more seasons left to play.
"I just needed a fresh start," Eifler said.
Why Illinois? It's a multi-tiered answer. First, he was familiar with the coaching staff, especially defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson.
Before joining Lovie Smith's staff at Illinois, Nickerson was Eifler's coach at Oakland (Calif.) Bishop O'Dowd High School.