Illini now

Illinois Football Offers Limestone University Transfer Tight End

Terik Mulder visited Illinois on Friday and left with an offer after his Division II school shut down its football program
Jared Shlensky|
Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on against Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on against Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

In this story:

Illinois Fighting IlliniMaryland TerrapinsKent State Golden Flashes

Terik Mulder was set to play football this year at Limestone University. Unfortunately, Limestone had other plans for its football team. The former Division II program officially shut down last week, leaving all its student-athletes in scramble mode.

Among them, Mulder is a player who has garnered a ton of interest across the college football landscape. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end still has two years of eligibility remaining and has received offers from multiple Division I programs – now including Illinois.

Not bad for a player who didn't catch a past last season, right? Mulder, who only recently transferred to Limestone, attended Division I FCS Presbyterian College in 2024, playing in only four games. But as a sophomore in 2023, he caught nine passes for 118 yards and four touchdowns. Given that the Illini just lost Jake Furtney to the portal earlier this week, it's a solid move by Illini coach Bret Bielema and his staff.

Taking a shot on Mulder, from Lexington, Kentucky, is a toss-up. But Illinois already has depth at tight end, so it's a low-stakes gamble that will be a pleasant development if it pays off. Mulder can focus on development in 2025 and, in a perfect world, blossom in 2026.

For that to happen, though, Illinois will first have to beat out several other schools, including Big Ten foe Maryland. Mulder has also received offers from Kent State, Southern Mississippi, South Alabama and Georgia Southern.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois WR Pat Bryant Picked in Round 3 of NFL Draft by Denver Broncos: How He Fits

Luke Altmyer Confirms Return to Illinois, Rejects Tennessee Rumors

Flip-Flopping Football Recruit Victor Singleton: Illinois' New Cliff Alexander?

Published
Jared Shlensky
JARED SHLENSKY

Jared Shlensky is a contributing writer for On SI and a freelance play-by-play broadcaster. Jared was previously a sports betting writer for Yardbarker, an On-Air YouTube Personality for the Sports Geek and a minor league play-by-play broadcaster.

Home/Football