Tanner Arkin & a Healthy Cole Rusk Lead Illini Tight End Group in 2025 Spring Season

The return of Cole Rusk from a severe knee injury a few weeks before the start of last season may mean more big packages in the Illini offense in 2025.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 29, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Bonnie Ryan/Associated Press)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Imagine preparing your offense to be big with a veteran quarterback, numerous options at the tailback spot, a pair of physical wide receivers and a pair of contrasting styles but complimentary tight ends. This was Illinois plan in going into August 2024.

And then Cole Rusk’s knee gave out in . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

Illinois Football Preview - Western Michigan - #501

Listen

Illini Destroy Duke 45-19 #500

Listen

Illini FB at Duke & Arch Panic - S5Ep4 - 9.5.25

Listen

Illini Football Preview versus Duke - #499

Listen

Illini Destroy Leathernecks 52-3 - #498

Listen

Illini FB is Here, So Is Petrovic & Illini in NFL - S5Ep3 - 8.29.25

Listen

I on the Illini - Western Illinois Preview #497

Listen

Illini FB & BB Updates & Phil Steele on the 2025 Illini FB Season - S5Ep2 - 8.22.25

Listen

1st Show of 5th Season, Illini FB Ranked #12 - S5Ep1 - 8.15.25

Listen

The Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496

Listen

Greg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495

Listen

Interviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25

Listen

Illini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494

Listen

IlliniGuys Top 5 Fighting Illini Cs in our Lifetime - #493

Listen

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Davon Grant

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.