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GCMS product McNutt departs from Illinois football

CHAMPAIGN -- Mitch McNutt's tenure with Illinois football officially is a short-lived one, as the former Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley standout told Lovie Smith's staff Thursday he'd be leaving the program.

One-hundred 76 days after signing with the Illini -- and 251 days after helping the Falcons to their first-ever IHSA state championship -- McNutt determined he needed a change in scenery despite making strides toward being a special teams cog for Smith's squad.

"I've been thinking about it all summer," McNutt said Friday. "The main part is my nutrition. I just thought for me personally, I could do it better for myself.