Wes Lunt reportedly visiting Illinois, transfer front-runner

Former Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Wes Lunt is looking to transfer and is visiting Illinois on Thursday, according to a report from Zach Kerker of Channel1450.com. Kerker also notes that the Illini are thought to be the front-runners so far.

Lunt began his freshman season in 2012 as the Cowboys' starting quarterback, but various injuries ultimately derailed his year. He finished throwing for 1,108 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions over five games. A native of Rochester, Ill., Lunt is reportedly also being recruited by Louisville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Southern Miss, along with Illinois. ESPN's Joe Schad reports that Lunt is expected to make a choice between one of these five schools without expanding his list.

As Tom Fornelli writes in an update for The Champaign Room, Lunt's high school coach believes the Illini will be a "big player" for the quarterback's services due to reasons such as being close to home as well as his connection to the school growing up.

Fornelli also adds, however, that a more football-related reason could help sway Lunt to joining Illinois:

Another factor in our favor is a chance at playing time. I don't think Tim Beckman or Cubit would promise Lunt the starting job when he gets here, but by the time he's eligible to play he'll be battling with Reilly O'Tooleand Aaron Bailey for the right. Meaning he'll have a good shot at earning the starting job with three years of eligibility remaining.

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