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Defensive lineman Reggie Ellis is leaving the Illinois program.

Washington (D.C.) Dunbar coach Craig Jefferies confirmed Thursday that Ellis has asked for his transfer. Jefferies said he doesn’t know where Ellis is going next.

Ellis was a highly touted high school recruit, receiving four stars from Rivals.com. He enrolled at Illinois in January 2008 and redshirted his freshman season.

“I’m not saying I’m surprised,” Jefferies said. “I don’t know if it was playing time. Reggie wants to do what he wants to do. He wants to be an up the field, pass rush guy. That’s not what he was doing. You’ve got to do what’s best for the team.”

Ellis transferred to Dunbar for his final two years of high school. He was a standout for Jefferies, with 13 sacks in his two seasons.

The loss of Ellis won’t hurt Illinois recruiting at Dunbar, Jefferies said. The current Illinois roster includes former Dunbar standouts Arrelious Benn, Nate Bussey and Ugo Uzodinma.

“Absolutely not,” Jefferies said. “I’m sure that’s not going to be a factor. The guys who have been there and the guys who are there now have had more success than the one who transferred. Everybody up there is happy. Everybody is having some form of success. One of 10 ain’t bad.”