Leary probably needed to go to a MAC or Conference USA school to be assured a starting job. That's the choice, continue being the no-doubt backup at Illinois and hope you can be the starter as a senior, or leave now and get a chance as a starter for two years.
It's easy for us fans to choose to stay because it only benefits us. Leary gets one opportunity at a college career, I'm not faulting him for choosing the path with the most opportunity. Just stinks that he lost out on the better program and the starting chance.