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Reports: Aaron Bailey To Transfer From Illinois

(CBS) A day after signing a solid 2015 recruiting class that was ranked top-50 nationally, the Illinois football team has suffered a blow.

Junior-to-be quarterback Aaron Bailey is transferring from the program, according to multiple reports. Bailey came to Champaign as the crown jewel of the team's 2013 recruiting class, ranking as a top-10 dual threat quarterback in the country, but he never worked his way into a big role. He saw limited action this past season, going 11-of-22 for 118 yards, a touchdown and an interception in five games. He also rushed for 120 yards on 36 carries.

Despite starter Wes Lunt suffering leg and knee injuries that sidelined him for five games, Bailey couldn't beat out reserve Reilly O'Toole for open spot.

O'Toole is graduating, but Bailey likely would've entered the 2015 season as the backup to Lunt, who will be a redshirt junior.

Bailey is a premier athlete, but he resisted the idea of changing positions.

"No. Just quarterback," Bailey told the News-Gazette. "I enjoy having the ball in my hand. I enjoy the pressure of winning and losing. I feel like, with the ball in my hand, I can create a lot of things. Being at a different position, you may not necessarily get the ball every play, but at quarterback, whether it´s a good play or bad play, I'd rather take that pressure and put it on me. It's just the way my mind-set is and just how I am as a person. If the situation goes bad or goes good, I like to rally up my team and go from there. I want to be the best leader I can be."

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