Dec. 18 -- CHAMPAIGN -- What you see in the 2025 college football transfer portal may not actually be as it appears.

Take, for example, Illinois wide receiver Kenari Wilcher and punter Declan Duley. They are both clearly in the portal, but ... want to play in the Citrus Bowl.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema plans to allow it. His player-first mentality will help lure others to Illinois.

"Some guys that have been with us all the way through even though they got in the portal," Bielema said Tuesday afternoon at the Smith Center.

Others are still considering the bowling-then-leaving option.

"The kids I've built relationships with, my opinion of who they are, what they are doesn't change," Bielema said. "I want them to be successful once they're past here. That's really not the norm. I get it, but it's something I really believe in, giving these guys an opportunity."

So far, only All-Big Ten wide receiver Pat Bryant has decided to opt-out of playing in the bowl and turn his focus towards preparing for the 2025 NFL draft. Bielema said he expects Bryant to be at the game in his home state.

"I think Pat will join us in Florida for a day and get a chance to talk to our team," Bielema said.

Now, Bielema is working on other potential returnees from the 2024 team.

"To keep our best players, I started meeting with our administration by bye Week 1," Bielema said. "Wasn't too hard for me to figure out who's going to be our best players coming back. I think we're either the first- or second-youngest team in Power Four football coming back."

All told, 11 Illinois players on the current roster are in the portal, including backup quarterback Donovan Leary.

"I also understand he's got to go find his next opportunity," Bielema said.

None of the 11 Illini have picked new schools. But the moves are coming fast and furious.

"I believe in development," Bielema said. "But it's almost like you have to concentrate on one year to the next because your roster is so fluid."

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, 78 new players had entered the portal on top of the gazillion that were already in.

"I've been doing this (as a head coach) 17 years and it has, by far, been the craziest two weeks of my tenure," Bielema said. "It's just insanity.

"I literally walked off the practice field, went upstairs and they've got 12 (prospects) for me to watch."

All set

One player not in the portal is Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer. The Mississippi transfer, who went through the portal process once already after the 2022 season, could have had his pick of programs had he made that choice this offseason.

But Saturday afternoon at State Farm Center, he told the sold-out crowd at the Illinois-Tennessee men's basketball game he is returning for his final season under offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

"He gets it, he sees it, he understands it," Bielema said. "Him and Barry have a really special relationship."

That means Altmyer will become a three-year starter, a rarity for a quarterback in the portal age. Heisman third-place finisher and Oregon standout Dillon Gabriel is on his third school.

Of course, Bielema is thrilled to have his quarterback returning.

"Very excited for Luke and the opportunity that he has ahead of him, not just in this game (Citrus Bowl), but into the future," Bielema said. "I'm just super impressed with his growth over the last year in so many different ways.

"Just a great example of what I think is everything right in our program, really college football. Stands for all the right things. He's the definition of what you're looking for."

Plenty on the plate

Including steaks. After its workout Tuesday morning, the team was heading to The Ribeye for a hearty meal.

"They are all over The Ribeye," Bielema said. "I've got 110 of our monsters going in there. They've got either a 12-, 20- or 30-ounce. I'm sure there will be too many 30-ounces ordered. The O-line, D-line were very excited."

Bielema has scheduled three practices this week and will have three more in Orlando, Fla., plus a walkthough before the Illini (9-3) play South Carolina (9-3) at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl.

"You've got to make sure you keep it fresh, crisp, clean," Bielema said.

On Friday night, the team is going to the Champaign Country Club for its traditional pregame meal. The dinner will be combined with a gift suite of bowl merchandise for the players to pick out.

"This week, I think it's important to give them some space, give them some time, but also let them feel the reward of the bowl game," Bielema said.

On Tuesday, the team was in full pads, concentrating on early downs and two phases of the kicking game.

It is Finals Week, so academics have to be the priority for the team until it arrives in Florida.