Bret Bielema suggests Georgia tampered with running back Josh McCray
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Illinois coach Bret Bielema has an issue with how Georgia recruited transfer running back Josh McCray this offseason.
During an appearance on The Triple Option podcast this week, Bielema implied that UGA tampered with McCray in order to get him into the portal. Mark Ingram, one of the co-hosts on the podcast along with Rob Stone and Urban Meyer, asked Bielema to talk about his running back room heading into 2025.
The Illinois head coach raved about the players the Illini will have in the backfield this fall, but did take a moment to lament losing McCray to the Bulldogs.
“We did lose a guy to Georgia,” Bielema said. “Somehow he found his way into 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.
“I wish Josh all the best, he took advantage of that opportunity.”
Indeed, there was a relatively-short turnaround time between McCray entering the portal and when he committed to UGA. He officially went into the portal on April 18 and then committed to Georgia on April 20. He’s expected to have a significant role for the Bulldogs this season behind starter Nate Frazier.
For Illinois, the Fighting Illini have other running backs who will be ready for a bigger role this season. Last year’s second-and-third leading rushers, Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin, are both expected to be back in Champaign this fall. Bielema also spoke highly of Ca’lil Valentine who is entering his second season with the program.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
