Illinois coach Bret Bielema is puzzled after losing his top returning rusher, Josh McCray, to the transfer portal. McCray signed with Georgia, which was in need of immediate assistance in the backfield following Branson Robinson’s transfer in April. Bielema wondered this week how McCray was on the Bulldogs’ radar and made such a quick decision to transfer to the SEC program. Without saying it, Bielema implied Georgia tampered to sign one of his best players.
“We did lose a guy to Georgia,” Bielema said on The Triple Option podcast, published Wednesday. “Somehow, he found his way to the portal and 12 hours after being in the portal, he was on a flight to Georgia. I don’t know how that happened, but it’s crazy.”
One of 10 transfers Georgia added, McCray signed with the Bulldogs in April at the end of spring practice. He will have one year of eligibility in Athens and Georgia was the only school he visited after his portal entry.
Bielema’s comments were widely interpreted as implying potential tampering — an increasingly common concern in the transfer portal era. But following fan criticism of his remarks on social media, Bielema responded directly Thursday morning to clarify the timeline and defend McCray’s decision.
“Dear Jon — He actually entered the portal on [April 18] at 12:08 p.m., which we helped him do and guided him on the process moving forward,” Bielema posted. “Appreciate your time and inaccurate information. He is a great young man and at a great place with great people. Don’t make something of nothing.”
Back in April, Bielema seemingly knew McCray sought to leave Illinois for his final season.
“It’s been a four-year conversation,” Bielema told 247Sports. “Josh is a kid we’re incredibly proud of. He should finish up this spring with a degree. He’s going…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bret-bielema-clarifies-remarks-suggesting-georgia-kirby-smart-tampered-with-illinois-rb-josh-mccray/
Author : Brad Crawford
Publish date : 2025-06-26 14:50:00
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