CHAMPAIGN — Illinois receiver Malik Elzy is no longer with the football team and has decided to redshirt and then likely enter the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior from Chicago Simeon has two years of eligibility remaining. He had fallen down the Illini receiving depth chart that includes Hank Beatty, Collin Dixon, Hudson Clement and Justin Bowick.

"Malik is no longer with us," Illinois coach Bret Bielema told reporters Saturday after a 43-32 win over USC . "We started this year with a roster that we felt really strong about, and if someone doesn't want to be a part of that, wants a redshirt, then I can't keep them, right?"

Bielema said he tried to convince Elzy to stay, and even left the detailed discussion upset he could not keep the receiver — someone Bielema sai

See Full Page