EIU football continues to lose more players to the transfer portal.

The Panthers had another two defensive players enter the transfer portal. 

Graduate linebacker Jesse Garza announced on his X account that he will be entering his name in the transfer portal on Jan. 2. 

Garza will enter the portal as a graduate with one year of eligibility left. 

Before transferring to Eastern, Garza played at Allan Hancock College where he was second team All-National Northern League. 

He also led the team with 72 tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and three pass break-ups. 

During his 2023 and 2024 season with the Panthers, Garza played in a total of seven games, and saw time on the special teams unit, but didn’t record any statistics. 

In his 2025 season, Garza played in all 12 games, finishing with a total of 23 tackles, nine being solo, and three tackles for loss. 

Garza had a season high of six tackles versus Indiana State. 

On the line, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Cole Silzer announced on his X account that he will be entering his name in the portal on Jan. 2. 

Silzer enters the portal with two years of eligibility left. 

Silzer has been with the Panthers for three years, in his 2022 season he used his redshirt season. During the 2023 season he played in two games and had one tackle. He missed the 2024 season due to injury. 

In the 2025 season, Silzer played in seven games and recorded two tackles. 

In the wide receiver room, redshirt freshman Collin Willard announced on his X account that he will be departing from the football program. 

The North Olmsted, Ohio, native enters the portal with three years of eligibility left. 

Willard redshirted in 2024 and appeared in 11 games in 2025 but did not record any statistics.

The NCAA transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and closes Jan. 16

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].