DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 02: Robert Spillane #10 of the Western Michigan Broncos celebrates his fourth quarter interception with Asantay Brown #6, Eric Assoua #33, and Justin Tranquill #2 while playing the Ohio Bobcats during the MAC Championship on December 2, 2016 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

One of college football's most prolific defenders is transferring

There will be an intriguing defensive name on the college football transfer market.

2016 was an extremely successful season for the Western Michigan Broncos. Future NFL wide receiver Corey Davis led the way on the offensive side of the ball as the team cruised to a MAC Championship and, defensively, things were buoyed by linebacker Robert Spillane. On Monday evening, WMU fans received a blow with regard to 2017, though, as Spillane has been granted his release from the program.

Tony Paul of The Detroit News brings word that this is not a situation in which Spillane would be eligible immediately, as he has not graduated from Western Michigan. With that in mind, his focus would presumably be on the 2018 season should he choose to transfer to another FBS program.

Spillane's next destination remains unknown at this time, but we certainly know that his 111 tackles (and 28 career starts at linebacker) will be greatly missed by the Broncos on the defensive side of the football. With head coach P.J. Fleck moving on to Purdue and the aforementioned Davis set to excel at the next level, it will be an interesting first season under Tim Lester at Western Michigan and his job becomes much harder with the loss of his most prolific defensive player at an odd time.