Who were the top Illinois tight ends in 2024?, Who does Illinois have at tight end in 2025?, How does Bret Bielema use the tight end?, Where does the Illinois Class of 2026 rank?

Illinois football lost out on another in-state tight end on Tuesday when four-star JC Anderson of Mount Zion committed to Ole Miss.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder had three finalists: Illinois, Ole Miss and Auburn, the trio whittled down from more than 35 offers. He caught 47 passes for 535 yards and seven touchdowns while helping Mount Zion to the Class 4A championship game.

Sep 7, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini tight end Tanner Arkin (85) signals a first down against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

“I’m honestly looking forward to just being coached by Lane Kiffin and Joe Cox,” Anderson told On3.com. “Just developing is the thing. I know that they’re going to get me right for the NFL.”

Anderson is considered by most recruiting experts among the top 10 tight ends in the country, along with fellow in-state recruit Mack Sutter of Dunlap, who last week chose Alabama over four finalists that also included Illinois.

After Anderson's decision, Illini so far has one tight end in the Class of 2026 in Will Vala of Downers Grove North, who had offers from Wisconsin, Purdue and Kentucky, among others.

Where does that leave Illinois at tight end? We take a look at how Illinois used the position last season, who is on the roster for 2025, and how Illini coach Bret Bielema has used tight ends in his career:

Who were the top Illinois tight ends in 2024?

Senior returnee Tanner Arkin caught 16 passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns. He is listed atop the depth chart at Ourlads, but expect plenty of competition in Champaign — especially from Rock Island native Cole Rusk, who missed all of 2024 season with a knee injury.

Who does Illinois have at tight end in 2025?

Arkin and Rusk return for 2025. Illinois also has a pair of incoming transfers in sophomore Davin Stoffel (14 catches, 177 yards, TD at South Dakota State) and developmental tight end Christian Abney (5 catches, 50 yards, TD at Ball State), who could redshirt.

Illinois has another four tight ends listed on its roster, but also expect some redshirts among this group: Junior Jordan Anderson, freshman Grant Smith, redshirt freshman Tanner Hollinger and freshman Logan Farrell.

How does Bret Bielema use the tight end?

Obviously, recruits as big, quick and talented as Sutter or Anderson would have led the Illini to alter their offense some, with an eye on getting the ball to elite four-star recruits. Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is a former tight ends coach, after all.

As it is, Bielema's offense utilizes multiple tight ends who can catch passes and hold the line. His tight ends at Wisconsin were well-utilized, with four drafted into the NFL: Travis Beckum, Garrett Graham, Lance Hendricks and Jacob Pedersen.

At Arkansas, Bielema also used multiple tight end sets, sending Hunter Henry, A.J. Derby and Jeremy Sprinkle into the NFL draft. At Illinois, tight end Tip Reiman was a third-round pick in 2024.

Where does the Illinois Class of 2026 rank?

Despite the loss of Sutter and Anderson, Illinois has compiled a solid group in the Class of 2026. The Illini have earned commitments from 22 recruits as of July 1, including six with four-star ratings from at least one analyst service.