Illinois’ Tahveon Nicholson enters transfer portal

Illinois cornerback Tahveon (Taz) Nicholson has entered the transfer portal, per 247 Sports on Monday afternoon.

A Jacksonville native, Nicholson was a three-star recruit and ranked the No. 1 prep school prospect in the nation by 247 Sports before coming to Champaign.

After a few starts in his freshman season, Nicholson started 10 games at cornerback for the nation’s best scoring defense in 2022.

This fall, Nicholson came into the season as a member of the PFF Preseason All-Big Ten third team. He recorded 36 tackles, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles on the season.

However, a problem that plagued Illinois all year also plagued the cornerback.

Illinois ranked 113th in the nation in penalties (79) and penalty yards (749), and Nicholson committed a team-high nine of them for 119 yards. They included four pass interferences and an unsportsmanlike conduct that led to an ejection against Indiana.

Despite the troubles in his final season in Champaign, Nicholson has plenty of accolades in his Illinois career. In three years, he totaled 66 tackles, 15 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and an interception. He was also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient and won the team’s Howard Griffith Impact Player award in 2022.

Best of luck going forward, Taz.