Former University of Missouri wide receiver Khmari Thompson has announced his transfer destination, moving eastward from Columbia across state lines to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. The Georgia native spent two years at Mizzou, playing in three games as a freshman before taking a redshirt season in 2019 due to the torn meniscus.
At Illinois, Thompson will likely have to sit out the 2020 season, then have two years of eligibility remaining with head coach Lovie Smith. He could seek a waiver to play immediately, if he were to attempt to use the Missouri coaching change from Barry Odom to Eliah Drinkwitz this offseason with the NCAA as reasoning for the decision to transfer.
Thompson arrived at Missouri as a three-star recruit from Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville, Georgia, choosing Missouri over offers from Illinois, Kansas State, Purdue, and Georgia Tech. Thompson’s addition to the receiving corps with the Fighting Illini will give a physically big group needed speed, as, at Missouri, Thompson was a sprinter on the track team, having run a 22.82 seconds in the 200 meter dash at the 2019 Mizzou open, finishing fourth. Former Miami Hurricane wide receiver Brian Hightower, a four-star coming out of high school, is sitting out the 2020 season after transferring to Illinois as well. Former New Mexico State receiver Desmond Dan is another incoming wide receiver coming to the Illini via the transfer route. He will be eligible for both 2020 and 2021.
Photo credit – Denny Medley / USA Today Sports / Columbia, MO
