Illinois HC Bret Bielema might need a refresher on just how tampering works

Just a few days ago, the Wisconsin Badgers filed a lawsuit against the Miami Hurricanes for allegedly tampering with Xavier Lucas, who left the Badgers for the Canes without ever officially entering the transfer portal.

Fair enough. Now, however, one of Wisconsin's fellow Big Ten members is toeing the line of accusing the Georgia Bulldogs of tampering in an entirely different situation.

Tampering claims are flying and Bret Bielema just called out Georgia

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema joined The Triple Option, hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram, and Rob Stone, and shared that he truly believed the Bulldogs had tampered with running back Josh McCray, who transferred to Georgia from Illinois following the 2024-25 season.

"Somehow, he found his way to the portal, and 12 hours after being in the portal, he was on a flight to Georgia," Bielema said. "I don’t know how that happened, but it’s crazy.”

Well, without any evidence of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart or anyone on his staff being in contact with McCray before he hit the portal, it was quite the accusation to toss out there.

Tampering is a valid claim if and when a team reaches out to a player who is still actively on another team's roster, especially during the season. However, McCray had already entered the portal before he ever stepped foot on a plane to go anywhere.

Bielema didn't offer up any conclusive evidence, or really any follow-up information at all, while on The Triple Option. So, now Smart just has a tampering claim looming overhead without any substance behind the claim to begin with.

The Illinois head coach went on to wish McCray the best, stating that the young running back "took advantage of the opportunity," but did not share the same sentiments for Smart and the Bulldogs as they look to next season.