Illinois Football News: Redshirt Freshman Tight End Enters Transfer Portal

Freshman TE Nate Guinn Has Officially Entered the Transfer Portal

Despite a ton of recent momentum for Illinois Football, the world of college football is a continual business, and turnover in some fashion remains evident.

According to Freshman Tight End Nate Guinn’s X page, the young man has officially entered his name into the transfer portal.

All apart of gods plan pic.twitter.com/01yNb1NMSt

— Nathan Guinn (@NathanGuinn4) December 2, 2024

Guinn’s Thoughts on Entering the Portal

First, I’d like to thank God for his endless blessings on my life. Next, I would like to thank Coach Bielema, Coach Lunney, and Coach Discher, and the rest of the Illinois staff for helping me turn my lifelong dream of playing college football into a reality. Finally, I’d like to thank the community for welcoming me to their family for the past two years.

With that being said, I am officially entering into the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility remaining

– Nathan Guinn (@NathanGuinn4)

What it Means

Guinn, a native of Vero Beach, Florida transitioned to tight end after joining the Illini in 2023. Unfortunately,  the former 3-star recruit redshirted last season and did not see any game action in 2024.

At 6’6″ and 240 pounds, Guinn had the size and athleticism to develop into a promising player at the position. However, with his departure, the Illini’s future depth is slim pickings.

With Senior Cole Rusk (out for the season with a knee injury) and Carson Goda on the way out at the end of the season, Juniors Tanner Arkin and Henry Boyer are currently the Illini’s most reliable option at TE. The problem is, while the duo is excellent at blocking and reliable in the passing game, neither are the field-stretching passing presence that Barry Lunney Jr is looking to build at the position.

However, with Nate’s departure, that leaves only freshman Tanner Hollinger and Offensive Tackle convert Clayton Leonard as the remaining scholarship options past 2025 for the Illini. Though they bring in some intriguing prep recruits, expect the Illini to look for a tight end in the transfer portal for depth.

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