Illinois coach Bret Bielema has had an interesting day on social media. It all stems around the recruitment of transfer offensive lineman Avery Jones.
Jones, who began his career in North Carolina, started for the Pirates over the past three seasons, spending time at guard and center. He committed to Illinois out of the transfer portal on December 13.

But Tuesday afternoon Auburn swooped in to grab the graduate transfer for his final year of eligiliblity. This seem to have caught Bielema by surprise.

The coach also seems to know the reason why Jones make the flip.

The addition of the transfer portal and NIL deals remains one that the coaches are still trying to get a hold of. Although Jones was committed to Illinois, he was not bound to the school
until he signed a scholarship. Apparently he had not signed a scholarship yet and now he will suit up for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.