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Well, this is a sad, though, expected update as Illinois redshirt junior guard/forward Ty Rodgers has entered the transfer portal.
I can't say that this move surprises me as Rodgers has not played the past two seasons after being a key part of the Illini rotation as a freshman and sophomore. Also, Ty was not pictured at last night's Kickin' Cancer event, which seemed to indicate this move was coming after the Illini announced the returns of David Mirkovic, the Ivisics and Jake Davis.
Rodgers decided to redshirt prior to the 2024-25 season as it appeared his playing time would be scarce with the additions of Tre White and Will Riley. Personally, I thought Illinois did Ty a bit dirty as he had started on an Elite Eight team the prior season, playing a point guard position that really wasn't his game. I assumed Rodgers saw the writing on the wall, deciding to take the redshirt at the time, which is usually never a good sign about a player's future with a program. Despite these less-than-ideal circumstances, Rodgers carried himself the right way, being an engaged and supportive teammate on the bench.
But then things took a surprising turn.
Rodgers decided to come back for the 2025-26 season, with his announcement being made the night of Morez Johnson's heartbreaking decision earlier that day to enter the portal, quickly landing at Michigan. Rodgers' decision to return seemed like a much-needed public relations move for the Illini basketball program at the time, as Ty and Morez both played for the Meanstreets AAU program, and felt like a bit of a veiled shot at Johnson leaving for a higher bag even though he was going to be a major contributor for the Illini as a sophomore.
While expected to compete for minutes this prior season, Rodgers unfortunately injured his knee last summer and missed all of 2025-26.
When a college basketball player misses two straight seasons, it is best to start over. For Rodgers, would it really have been worth it to come back where minutes would not be guaranteed again? Three years of limited to no playing time would significantly hurt Rodgers' value on the market and essentially end his college basketball career. Transferring will allow Rodgers to get a much-needed and well-deserved reset. It's what Rodgers has earned as a player and a person, with two years of eligibility likely remaining.
Still, it hurts to see Ty go as he was the epitome of class and character, being a good teammate the past two seasons on the bench, always offering support and serving as a source of positive energy. No player seemed happier than Rodgers when Illinois defeated Iowa to advance to the Final Four. The kid has seen and been through a lot in four years and always carried himself the right way, representing Illinois with grace, humility and maturity.
Illinois was lucky to have a Ty Rodgers, who came in way back with the disastrous freshmen class of Skyy Clark, Jayden Epps and Sincere Harris. Clark only lasted 17 games with the Illini while Epps transferred after his first season. After being a spark plug as a freshman, Harris decided to redshirt his sophomore season when his own playing time seemed nonexistent before transferring to West Virginia and then Cincinnati. Harris is currently in the transfer portal again as he had some bad luck with his moves. West Virginia Head Coach Daren Devries left for Indiana after one season and Cincinnati's Wes Miller was fired after last season.
In contrast to Clark and Epps, Rodgers and Harris epitomized Brad Underwood's vision of Everyday Guys; unfortunately, circumstances played out where both players no longer seemed to fit where the program was headed. It is a testament to Rodgers that he stuck around for two years when he didn't have to and could have easily left. Such loyalty should not be discounted during this day and age of transactional college basketball. Rodgers was essentially a player/coach these past two seasons, a luxury for the Illini.
Rodgers will always be remembered as a hard-working player who sacrificed for the team and program. I'll never forget Rodgers' freshman season, when he was forced to play point guard during the second half of a first-round loss to Arkansas. I knew right then that Underwood was done with Epps and that tumultuous team of Matthew Mayer and others, though Rodgers was a winning player who needed to return at all costs.
As a sophomore, Rodgers stepped up to help man the point guard position, even though he is more suited as a small-ball power forward, after Illinois lost out on RayJ Dennis in the portal. Wherever Rodgers played, he always gave great energy and effort. He was a glue guy for the Illini, a connector on and off the court, a throwback to the days when players cared about their commitments to a school.
Rumor has it that Ty has been working on his jumper the past two seasons, which will be interesting to see wherever he lands. Ty has always seemed like a Michigan State type of player, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him go to the Big East (here's looking at you, Marquette!). Whatever program ends up with Ty will get a terrific player, great leader and even better human being.
Ty Rodgers owed nothing more to Illinois basketball, though he should always be welcomed back with open arms.
For me, Rodgers' first name equates to a giant Thank You.
Thank you Ty for being a junkyard dog on the court, a good soldier these past two seasons, and a wonderful representative of the Illini for four years of your life, during which you contributed to so much winning in countless ways beyond the box score.
Ty, you will be missed but never forgotten!
Best of luck wherever you land!
I can't say that this move surprises me as Rodgers has not played the past two seasons after being a key part of the Illini rotation as a freshman and sophomore. Also, Ty was not pictured at last night's Kickin' Cancer event, which seemed to indicate this move was coming after the Illini announced the returns of David Mirkovic, the Ivisics and Jake Davis.
Rodgers decided to redshirt prior to the 2024-25 season as it appeared his playing time would be scarce with the additions of Tre White and Will Riley. Personally, I thought Illinois did Ty a bit dirty as he had started on an Elite Eight team the prior season, playing a point guard position that really wasn't his game. I assumed Rodgers saw the writing on the wall, deciding to take the redshirt at the time, which is usually never a good sign about a player's future with a program. Despite these less-than-ideal circumstances, Rodgers carried himself the right way, being an engaged and supportive teammate on the bench.
But then things took a surprising turn.
Rodgers decided to come back for the 2025-26 season, with his announcement being made the night of Morez Johnson's heartbreaking decision earlier that day to enter the portal, quickly landing at Michigan. Rodgers' decision to return seemed like a much-needed public relations move for the Illini basketball program at the time, as Ty and Morez both played for the Meanstreets AAU program, and felt like a bit of a veiled shot at Johnson leaving for a higher bag even though he was going to be a major contributor for the Illini as a sophomore.
While expected to compete for minutes this prior season, Rodgers unfortunately injured his knee last summer and missed all of 2025-26.
When a college basketball player misses two straight seasons, it is best to start over. For Rodgers, would it really have been worth it to come back where minutes would not be guaranteed again? Three years of limited to no playing time would significantly hurt Rodgers' value on the market and essentially end his college basketball career. Transferring will allow Rodgers to get a much-needed and well-deserved reset. It's what Rodgers has earned as a player and a person, with two years of eligibility likely remaining.
Still, it hurts to see Ty go as he was the epitome of class and character, being a good teammate the past two seasons on the bench, always offering support and serving as a source of positive energy. No player seemed happier than Rodgers when Illinois defeated Iowa to advance to the Final Four. The kid has seen and been through a lot in four years and always carried himself the right way, representing Illinois with grace, humility and maturity.
Illinois was lucky to have a Ty Rodgers, who came in way back with the disastrous freshmen class of Skyy Clark, Jayden Epps and Sincere Harris. Clark only lasted 17 games with the Illini while Epps transferred after his first season. After being a spark plug as a freshman, Harris decided to redshirt his sophomore season when his own playing time seemed nonexistent before transferring to West Virginia and then Cincinnati. Harris is currently in the transfer portal again as he had some bad luck with his moves. West Virginia Head Coach Daren Devries left for Indiana after one season and Cincinnati's Wes Miller was fired after last season.
In contrast to Clark and Epps, Rodgers and Harris epitomized Brad Underwood's vision of Everyday Guys; unfortunately, circumstances played out where both players no longer seemed to fit where the program was headed. It is a testament to Rodgers that he stuck around for two years when he didn't have to and could have easily left. Such loyalty should not be discounted during this day and age of transactional college basketball. Rodgers was essentially a player/coach these past two seasons, a luxury for the Illini.
Rodgers will always be remembered as a hard-working player who sacrificed for the team and program. I'll never forget Rodgers' freshman season, when he was forced to play point guard during the second half of a first-round loss to Arkansas. I knew right then that Underwood was done with Epps and that tumultuous team of Matthew Mayer and others, though Rodgers was a winning player who needed to return at all costs.
As a sophomore, Rodgers stepped up to help man the point guard position, even though he is more suited as a small-ball power forward, after Illinois lost out on RayJ Dennis in the portal. Wherever Rodgers played, he always gave great energy and effort. He was a glue guy for the Illini, a connector on and off the court, a throwback to the days when players cared about their commitments to a school.
Rumor has it that Ty has been working on his jumper the past two seasons, which will be interesting to see wherever he lands. Ty has always seemed like a Michigan State type of player, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him go to the Big East (here's looking at you, Marquette!). Whatever program ends up with Ty will get a terrific player, great leader and even better human being.
Ty Rodgers owed nothing more to Illinois basketball, though he should always be welcomed back with open arms.
For me, Rodgers' first name equates to a giant Thank You.
Thank you Ty for being a junkyard dog on the court, a good soldier these past two seasons, and a wonderful representative of the Illini for four years of your life, during which you contributed to so much winning in countless ways beyond the box score.
Ty, you will be missed but never forgotten!
Best of luck wherever you land!
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