Ked's Recruiting Roundup

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

Jan. 5, 2024

No matter how hard the former Rock Island football wideout converted to a tight end in college and tried to hide his feelings about the possibility of playing for Illinois, the more reality set in.

Cole Rusk is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior, who will have two years of eligibility left, committed to the Illini today. 

"Illinois is a special place, it always has been and always will be," he told IlliniGuys.

The former All-American tight end will be added to the class of 2024; at Murray State, he recorded 485 yards and six touchdowns. 

Rusk told IlliniGuys he would enroll in the spring semester; after hitting the portal, he instantly received offers from Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Cal, Houston, Colorado State, and Washington State. 

Having spent most of his young life coming to football games as a fan are memories with his family he will cherish for a lifetime, but now he is going to be a part of the day-to-day football operations. 

Why does Rusk make sense?

With the offense led by offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. in the second half of the 2023 season, Illinois averaged more than 24 points a game but threw to multiple receivers including the tight end position. 

"I know I can help Illinois win games. Sure, there are things I need to improve, but that's mainly due to changing positions. When I was in high school, I was a receiver, but made the move to tight end," Rusk said.

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