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.
Follow me on Twitter: @KedPrince4
email: KedIlliniGuys@gmail.com
1st Show of 5th Season, Illini FB Ranked #12 - S5Ep1 - 8.15.25
ListenThe Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496
ListenGreg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495
ListenInterviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25
ListenIllini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494
ListenIlliniGuys Top 5 Fighting Illini Cs in our Lifetime - #493
ListenKed's Recruiting Roundup with Davon Grant
ListenIllini Football & Basketball, Hogan & Sandberg Pass & Cearah Parchment & Matt Stevens - S4Ep51 - 8.1.25
ListenOpinions from the Outside Looking In at Illini Football #492
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini PFs in our Lifetime, 4-Star 2027 QB Commit & Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review - #491
ListenB1G Media Days, Illini Hoops & More - S4Ep50 - 7.25.25
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini SFs in our Lifetime - #490
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys – Luke Altmyer Poised to Soar Up All-Time Illini QB Rankings & Kofi Part II
ListenNBA Summer League, Illini Recruiting Update, SEC Media Days & More - S4Ep49 - 7.18.25
ListenI on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 SGs & Superman Movie Review #489
Listen