After three years at Illinois, Olano is moving on.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Star Illinois kicker David Olano has officially announced on social media that he will be entering the transfer portal with one year of eligibility.
Olano, a former three-star recruit out of high school, has blossomed into one of the better kickers in the country during his three years with the Illini.
The past two seasons, he’s been an All-Big Ten honorable mention, once by the Big Ten coaches in 2024 and by members of the media in 2025.
“This decision was not taken lightly, and while I’m excited for what lies ahead, a piece of me will always belong at Illinois. I will be forever thankful for this program,” Olano said in his social media statement.
Olano made his decision public just two days after drilling a game-winning field goal at the buzzer, giving Illinois its ninth win of the season and making them Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl champions.
Earlier this season, Olano was also the hero in the Illini’s homecoming showdown against a ranked USC Trojan team, hitting another game-winner right as time ran out.
While he was only utilized as a kickoff specialist during his freshman season, the junior out of Naperville North High School finished off his Illini career as an 86% field goal kicker, with 193 total points and a career-long of 50-yards.
With various blue-blood programs in the college football world being in need of a talented, consistent kicker, it would be no shock if Olano attracted a lot of interest from some big-time teams.
Category: General Sports
