Illinois Football: Illini adding dynamic tight end in the transfer portal

Illinois football received some big-time help in the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon.

The transfer portal has actually been nice to the Illini since the regular season concluded. We have lost three players to transfer so far, but Bret Bielema and the coaching staff have also been able to secure three incoming transfers.

Nicario Harper was the first player to pick Illinois. He will help build depth for the defensive side of the ball. Avery Jones just committed to Illinois a couple of days ago. He is an offensive lineman who will fill a big void left at center. And now the Illini have added Tanner Arkin to the mix.

Coming out of Fossil Ridge High School in Colorado, Arkin was a three-star recruit and was ranked as the No. 2041 player in the class of 2021. With a few scholarship offers, Arkin decided that Colorado State would be a good landing spot.

In year one, Arkin played in a few games but ended up taking a redshirt. He would then finish his 2022 campaign with 14 receptions for 116 yards. After two years with the Rams, Arkin decided to look for a new home and would end up landing with the Illini.

Illinois football is getting someone in Tanner Arkin who has the framework for success.

First off, it is exciting to get a player like Arkin who has experience at the DI level and still has three years of eligibility remaining. I am excited to see what he can do at Illinois.

Arkin is physically put together well. At 6-foot-5, 245-pounds, the potential is there for him to be a bruising tight end. He has the frame of someone like Rob Gronkowski, and that is intriguing.

I think an underrated thing to be excited about when it comes to Arkin’s game is his blocking ability. When the running back gets the ball, Arkin has the ability to get to the second level and block a linebacker. He is also quick enough to get out in the flat and block defensive backs to enable screens and quick passes to go for more yardage.

Illinois is getting a player in Arkin who has shown he can play the game, but I believe there is still a lot of untapped potential. This could be one of the best additions in the transfer portal.