Following protocol, Illinois sent a list to Penn State after initial interest from a handful of Nittany Lions, Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas said.

"I don't think we were the only coaches that were there yesterday," Thomas said on Sirius/XM radio. "We might have been the only ones that weren't smart enough to not wear our school logos or have those on our work bags, but that's what happened."

Illinois was recruiting no more than five players who made contact with the Illini, according to an insider. The relationships with the possible transfers were likely built in recruiting circles years ago. Like other schools, Illinois fielded calls from players, their parents and former high school coaches.

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