Tanner Arkin

Last updated

Tanner Arkin
Illinois Fighting Illini–No. 85
Position Tight end
Class
Redshirt Redshirt.svg
Redshirt
Senior
Personal information
Born: (2003-07-07) July 7, 2003 (age 22)
Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight265 lb (120 kg)
Career history
College
High school Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins, Colorado)

Tanner Arkin (born July 7, 2003) is an American college football tight end for the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference. He previously played for the Colorado State Rams.

Contents

Early life

Arkin was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but his family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado when he was a child. [1] He began playing football at a young age and, as a freshman in high school, was named captain of his team. During his sophomore year, he began playing on varsity, primarily as an outside linebacker instead of his preferred position, tight end. [2] [3] Before his junior season, he sustained a broken collarbone which sidelined him for the season. [4] Finally, during his senior season, Arkin sustained a broken fibula during his second game, but continued to play for the remainder of the season. [1] He was considered a two-star prospect coming out of high school and, on May 12, 2020, Arkin committed to play college football for the Colorado State Rams. [5] [6]

College career

Colorado State

In his first season at Colorado State, Arkin backed-up Trey McBride. [7] He appeared in three games and took a redshirt for the season. [8] The following season, he was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West list and appeared in every game for the Rams. [7] [9]

Illinois

On December 14, 2022, Arkin transferred to Illinois. [6] [10] [11] In his first season at Illinois, he appeared in every game with three starts. [12] Prior to his redshirt junior season, he was named a team captain. [13] [14] [15] On August 8, 2025, Arkin was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List as one of the top tight ends in the nation. [16]

College statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high
SeasonGPReceiving
RecYdsAvgLngTD
Colorado State Rams
2021 3199.090
2022 12141168.3260
Illinois Fighting Illini
2023 12111.011
2024 13161116.9163
Career 40322377.4264

Personal life

Arkin is the son of Grady and Veronica Arkin. [8] He has one brother, Owen, and a sister, Carmen. [12] Arkin graduated from the University of Illinois in May 2025 with a degree in Kinesiology. [12]

References

  1. 1 2 "Captain Chronicles | 'I Knew I Could Come Here and Make an Impact': Arkin Builds Trust, Confidence in Second Year at Illinois". University of Illinois Athletics. November 14, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Poudre High School tops Fossil Ridge 35-14". Fort Collins Coloradoan. October 26, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Fossil Ridge wins homecoming game against Overland". Fort Collins Coloradoan. September 14, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  4. ↑ Fredrickson, Kyle (October 7, 2020). "In 2020, the Year of the Tight End in Colorado high school football, Heritage's Terrance Ferguson and Erik Olsen lead the way". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Tanner Arkin Timeline Events". 247sports.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Bucshon, Doug (December 14, 2022). "Portal Commit: Illini land transfer tight end Tanner Arkin". illinois.rivals.com. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Arkin Selected Preseason All-Mountain West". Colorado State Athletics. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Tanner Arkin - Football". Colorado State Athletics. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  9. ↑ Harvey, Paul (December 15, 2022). "Illinois lands transfer commitment from TE out of Colorado State". Saturday Tradition. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  10. ↑ Werner, Jeremy (December 14, 2022). "Transfer TE Tanner Arkin returns to B1G roots with Illini commitment: 'They have all the tools for success'". 247Sports. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  11. ↑ Schultz, Nick (December 15, 2022). "Colorado State transfer TE announces commitment to Illinois". On3. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 "Tanner Arkin - 2025 - Football". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Illinois Football Names Six Team Captains for 2024 Season". University of Illinois Athletics. August 15, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  14. ↑ Illini Inquirer. "Training camp: Illini TE Tanner Arkin named captain." YouTube, 17 Aug. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSDOc9hcp-8.
  15. ↑ Chappell, Kirkland (August 20, 2024). "Illini Football: Is Tanner Arkin Ready to Lead The Tight Ends?". Armchair Illinois. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Arkin Named to John Mackey Award Watch List". University of Illinois Athletics. August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
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