Illinois State picks up two FBS transfers

Aug 6, 2012 - 7:04 PM Normal, IL (Sports Network) - Illinois State announced Monday the addition of two FBS transfers, former Illinois wide receiver Anthony Williams and former Washington tight end Marlion Barnett.

Coach Brock Spack has big plans for the 6-foot-4, 210-pound wide receiver who hails from Virginia Beach, Va. Williams, who played in two contests at Illinois last season, has three years of eligibility remaining with the Redbirds.

"We were looking for a big receiver and Anthony was hoping for more playing time, so we thought it would be a great fit," Spack said. "He's a tall, athletic player and was familiar with the program after playing for a season with Evan Frierson and Nate Palmer in Champaign. The coaches liked his ability, and we look forward to getting him into the mix at the receiver position."

Barnett is a 6-foot-2, 225-pound tight end who played in nine games for Washington in 2010. In high school, the native of Corona, Calif., was rated as the No. 20 tight end prospect in the country by Scout.com.

Spack hopes Barnett can be utilized as a dual-threat blocking and catching tight end. Barnett has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

"We thought we needed a little more depth at tight end and needed another end of the line blocker,"Spack said. "He started four games as redshirt freshman at Washington at the tight end/H-back position, but got beat out by a good player last year and was looking for a change and more opportunity to play. We think he can do that at this level and should help bolster our numbers at the position."

Illinois State opens its season on Sept. 1 against Dayton.