CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois head coach Mike Small announced Thursday (June 26) the signing of Freddie Turnell to the Fighting Illini men's golf program. Turnell will join the Orange and Blue as a sophomore transfer with three seasons of eligibility remaining after a successful freshman campaign to begin his collegiate career the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Turnell is one of three newcomers slated to compete for the Illini in 2025-26, along with fall signee Dujuan Snyman and fellow spring transfer Dane Huddleston.
QUOTING TURNELL: "I chose to play golf at the University of Illinois due to a number of reasons, but mainly because of the outstanding facilities that are some of the best in the country, and the opportunity to learn and play for Coach Small, who has produced many tour pros in his career. Lastly, the team culture is great, and one that I can't wait to be a part of."
SMALL ON TURNELL: "Any team that can add to their roster with a talented player like Freddie, is a very fortunate team. For us, this is our second portal addition – along with Dane Huddleston – and we think that we added as much talent to our team as anybody in the country this offseason. Freddie brings a ton of skill, potential, and momentum with him to Illinois. He showed that he can win at the Division I level this past season, and he has played some very strong golf over the last year in the UK. We are thrilled to welcome him to our program and to have him join our yearly quest for championships."
Turnell is one of three newcomers slated to compete for the Illini in 2025-26, along with fall signee Dujuan Snyman and fellow spring transfer Dane Huddleston.
FREDDIE TURNELL | MILLFIELD SCHOOL (SOMERSET, ENGLAND) | LITTLE ROCK
TURNELL'S HIGHLIGHTS: Turnell joins the Fighting Illini after a stellar freshman season at Little Rock in which he helped the Trojans to an Ohio Valley Conference Championship and an NCAA Regional berth. He was the only freshman named to the seven-man All-OVC First Team and was also selected as one of five golfers honored on the OVC All-Newcomer Team while garnering OVC Freshman of the Year accolades. Turnell competed in 35 of 36 rounds in the Trojans lineup during his rookie campaign, posting a scoring average of 71.91, highlighted by 20 rounds at par or better with 10 rounds in the 60s. He recorded top-25 finishes in seven of 12 stroke play events and closed the season with top 10s in four of his final seven tournaments during the spring slate, including his first collegiate win at The Goodwin in which he matched his season-low 54-hole tournament score of 205 (-5). He also shot an 8-under 205 to finish T2 in the spring season opener at The Prestige in mid-February and carded a 5-under 211 to post a T4 showing at the Louisiana Classics in early March. This summer, Turnell has finished as runner-up at the English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship and is slated to compete next week in final qualifying for The Open Championship.QUOTING TURNELL: "I chose to play golf at the University of Illinois due to a number of reasons, but mainly because of the outstanding facilities that are some of the best in the country, and the opportunity to learn and play for Coach Small, who has produced many tour pros in his career. Lastly, the team culture is great, and one that I can't wait to be a part of."
SMALL ON TURNELL: "Any team that can add to their roster with a talented player like Freddie, is a very fortunate team. For us, this is our second portal addition – along with Dane Huddleston – and we think that we added as much talent to our team as anybody in the country this offseason. Freddie brings a ton of skill, potential, and momentum with him to Illinois. He showed that he can win at the Division I level this past season, and he has played some very strong golf over the last year in the UK. We are thrilled to welcome him to our program and to have him join our yearly quest for championships."
