Illinois head coach Bill Cubit announced Tuesday that graduate transfer Gimel President will join the Fighting Illini program after signing a Big Ten tender of financial aid. The 6-4, 265 pound defensive end spent the last four years at Auburn and will be immediately eligible to play this fall.
"President is a terrific addition to our defensive line," Cubit said. "He has played at a high level while in the SEC and will make an immediate contribution when he steps on the field. We're excited about the added maturity that he will bring to what already may be our deepest position on the defensive side of the ball."
After redshirting the 2012 season at Auburn, President played in 25 games for the Tigers over the last three seasons, including 10 starts, making 45 tackles, 7.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks.
In 2015, the Mt. Pleasant, S.C. native played in 10 games, making 12 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. His most productive season came in 2014, when he made 30 tackles, 5.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack in 12 games (nine starts). He was a three-star recruit and a Parade All-American coming out of high school.
President joins an Illini defensive line loaded with experience, including returning regulars DE Dawuane Smoot (40 tackles, 15.0 TFLs, 8.0 sacks), DE Carroll Phillips (26 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks), DT Chunky Clements (35 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks) and DT Rob Bain (36 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks).
"President is a terrific addition to our defensive line," Cubit said. "He has played at a high level while in the SEC and will make an immediate contribution when he steps on the field. We're excited about the added maturity that he will bring to what already may be our deepest position on the defensive side of the ball."
After redshirting the 2012 season at Auburn, President played in 25 games for the Tigers over the last three seasons, including 10 starts, making 45 tackles, 7.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks.
In 2015, the Mt. Pleasant, S.C. native played in 10 games, making 12 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. His most productive season came in 2014, when he made 30 tackles, 5.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack in 12 games (nine starts). He was a three-star recruit and a Parade All-American coming out of high school.
President joins an Illini defensive line loaded with experience, including returning regulars DE Dawuane Smoot (40 tackles, 15.0 TFLs, 8.0 sacks), DE Carroll Phillips (26 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks), DT Chunky Clements (35 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks) and DT Rob Bain (36 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks).
