CHAMPAIGN — Illinois’ extensive overhaul of its defensive line this offseason continued Friday with a commitment from Division II Bemidji State transfer Eli Coenen. The 6-foot-7, 275-pound defensive end picked the Illini over other offers Baylor, New Mexico, South Dakota State and South Dakota.
Coenen appeared in 13 games and made one start for the Beavers in 2024 after redshirting as a true freshman in 2023. The Baldwin, Wis., native finished his first full season on the field with 20 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility at Illinois.
Bemidji State finished the 2024 season with a 10-4 record. The Beavers went 7-3 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, winding up in a three-way tie for second behind champions Augustana (S.D.). Bemidji State ultimately bowed out in the quarterfinals of the D-II playoffs in a 27-23 loss to NSIC rivals Minnesota State.
The addition of Coenen continued the Illini’s reset for its defensive front after both TeRah Edwards and Dennis Briggs Jr. exhausted their eligilbity and Alex Bray transferred to Kansas. Coenen will join fellow transfer newcomers James Thompson Jr. (Wisconsin), Curt Neal (Wisconsin), Tomiwa Durojaiye (Florida State) and Carter Hewitt (Northern Iowa) on Illinois’ defensive line this fall.
Coenen is the 18th transfer addition for Illinois this offseason. In addition to the defensive linemen newcomers, the Illini also brought in tight ends Christian Abney (Ball State) and Davin Stoffel (South Dakota State), kicker Lucas Osada (North Carolina), offensive linemen Nathan Knapik (Idaho), Tyler McMillan (Southeast Missouri State) and Ayden Knapik (Idaho), safety Murphy Clement (West Virginia), punters Keelan Crimmins (Purdue) and Lars Rau (Texas State), wide receivers Hudson Clement (West Virginia) and Justin Bowick (Ball State), quarterback Ethan Hampton (Northern Illinois) and outside linebacker Leon Lowery Jr. (Wisconsin).
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