Illinois Football 2025 Scouting Report: Tight End Tanner Arkin

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2025 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of Illini senior tight end Tanner Arkin. We will add more as other on-field contributors emerge during the season. Find our scouting reports of other Illinois players by searching in your favorite browser or clicking in our projected depth chart.

Tanner Arkin | Tight End | Senior | No. 85

Hometown: Fort Collins, ColoradoHigh School: Fossil RidgeHeight: 6-foot-4Weight: 265 pounds

Scouting report

Illinois may have favored the passing game last season on offense, but throughout coach Bret Bielema’s long coaching career, he has found his niche as a ground-and-pound guy. Naturally, that approach requires the right kind of personnel, and in tight end Tanner Arkin – a steamrolling machine – Bielema has at least one key contributor.

Although Arkin is a useful possession receiver and safety valve (he is a solid route runner and has strong hands), he thrives in blocking situations. The kind of player who never needs to be taken off the field, Arkin has the blend of skills to provide something positive in every situation. He can help set the edge, clear space as a lead blocker, serve as an extra blocker in pass protection and slip off a block as an extra outlet when a play breaks down. Arkin’s versatility allows Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. to thicken his playbook and avoid predictability.

Experience

After spending a pair of seasons at Colorado State (the first of which was a redshirt year), Arkin transferred to Illinois for the 2023 season and played in all 12 games, earning the start in three. He had just one reception that year (a one-yard touchdown), but he made an impact as a pass and run blocker.

In 2024, Arkin played in all 13 games, continuing to level defenders in running actions, while lending a helping hand to quarterback Luke Altmyer in a number of ways. Arkin made a notable jump as a pass catcher last season, pulling in 16 receptions for 111 yards and three scores, along with an unforgettable 36-yard rush on a fake punt against Michigan.

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