Illinois football coach Bret Bielema has seen a lot of movement over the years across multiple programs, transfer portal or not.
Upon learning the news of now-former running back Josh McCray's decision to enter the transfer portal, Bielema gave insight into the chain of events while remaining classy toward the Citrus Bowl MVP.
"It has been a four-year conversation," Bielema told select media Wednesday morning regarding McCray. "Josh is a kid we're incredibly proud of. He's gonna walk out of here, should finish up this [school] year this spring with a degree [in communications]. He's gonna walk out of here with a four-year player that's done a lot of really good things."
Despite those accolades, Bielema said retaining McCray was ultimately left up to the running back himself, as he and the coaching staff respected his career decision.
"I obviously talked to him about what I thought we could do and where we're at, but his intentions are to get in the portal, and I completely understand that."
Bielema took it a step further, revealing that there should be no other surprises about the team's current running back room while ultimately explaining why McCray opted to enter the portal.
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"We just have such a talented [running back] room coming back," Bielema said. "He [McCray] saw himself as a backup running back. I couldn't change his opinion on that."
Nevertheless, it appears all sides have moved on as the team returns to off-season preparation.
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