Illini Football: Is Tanner Arkin Ready to Lead The Tight Ends?

Stepping Up For The Illini Football Offense

Junior Tight End Tanner Arkin has been asked to step into much bigger shoes for Illini Football. With training camp on the downward slope, is Arkin ready to be a leader in the TE unit, with August 29th approaching?

Bret Bielema recently announced that Starter Cole Rusk would miss the 2024 season due to a knee injury. Certainly, this is highly unfortunate news all the way around. Cole’s absence leaves a major hole in the Illinois passing game if the void is not properly filled. The Murray State transfer is a proven passing threat and gave the Illini some diversity of style in the tight ends unit.

And with that @IlliniFootball is on the board thanks to @ArkinTanner. 🔥

📺: FS1/@CFBonFox pic.twitter.com/vryLMmEn7Z

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) October 21, 2023

Of course, the Colorado State transfer is a more proven blocker. However, Arkin has shown the ability to be an effective passing threat as well. Tanner’s ability to be productive in the passing attack is an x-factor for Illinois offense. Being one-dimensional was a problem for Illini Football in 2023, as a thin running back room left defensive coordinators with little guesswork to do. Undoubtedly, If Illinois’s offense is only able to put blockers on the field at the TE position in 2024, it will be a problem for Illinois.

A Chance To Shine

Bret Bielema announced recently that Arkin was named a team captain, as voted upon by his teammates. Certainly, that’s a great sign that Tanner is ready to step up, in addition to possessing the full support of his peers.

In a press interview on Saturday (8/17), Arkin said that becoming a more vocal leader in the offense will be a big part of his character growth as a team captain and leader moving forward.

In addition, the Junior knows that he will need to progress as a passing threat. Arkin tells the media that the entire room, including himself, needs to take a step forward to fill the possible productivity left on the table by Cole Rusk’s injury.

Video Credit: Matt Stevens, Illini Guys

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