Cole Rusk News, Rumors, Updates - Illinois Fighting Illini | FOX Sports

Slated to claim starting role Rusk appears slated to start at tight end for Arizona in 2026, per the Arizona Daily Star.

Impact Rusk spent the 2025 season with Illinois, reeling in 19 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown. Now, the tight end appears primed to hold down the top of the position for Arizona in his sixth-year senior season, with Tyler Powell (foot) also a factor behind him once he heals up.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Lands at Arizona Rusk will transfer to Arizona, per Hayes Fawcett of On3.com.

Impact Rusk had a solid season with Illinois in 2025. He caught 19 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown, getting involved in the passing game from time to time. His best season came with FCS Murray State in 2023, when he totaled 507 yards and six scores. With one more year of eligibility, expect Rusk to be a big part of the Wildcats' tight end room in 2026.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Set to transfer Rusk plans to enter the transfer portal, On3.com reports.

Impact Rusk played a significant role for the Fighting Illini in 2025, catching 19 of 25 targets for 217 yards and a touchdown. He transferred to Illinois before the 2024 season after an outstanding season at Murray State. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy for fall camp Rusk (knee) is healthy for Illinois' fall camp, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Illinois underwent a Tuesday practice, and Werner named Rusk as one of its players who won their reps, indicating that he is healthy for 2025. The tight end did not play during 2024 because of a knee injury. While part of Murray State's 2023 team, Rusk logged 507 receiving yards and six touchdowns, which both player and team hope he can replicate.

AUGUST 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Getting back to full strength Rusk (knee) is slowly working to get back to full strength, per Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com.

Impact The tight end played a little at the tail end of spring practice, and Illini head coach Bret Bielema says it's been a "slow build" for Rusk in terms of working his way back into action. It doesn't sound as though there's a major concern in terms of missing regular season action for Illinois' projected top option at tight end, but Rusk will be worth monitoring as Week 1 draws closer.

JULY 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Plays at tail end of spring Rusk (knee) re-joined the Illini on the practice field late in spring camp, per 247Sports.com.

Impact The tight end has been slowly working back from a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. He partook in the latter portion of spring practice with a non-contact jersey, so while he returned to the practice field, he's still not quite 100 percent heading into summer workouts.

MAY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Late-spring availability hopeful Illinois' head coach Bret Bielema is hopeful that Rusk (knee) will be available in late spring, Glenn Kinley of WCIA reports.

Impact During the 2024 offseason, Rusk suffered a season-ending knee injury, which was announced in August. Fast forward to over half a year later, and he is still reeling from his knee injury. But with Rusk probable for late spring, the wait for his availability may soon be in the back mirror.

MARCH 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss 2024 season Rusk will miss the 2024 campaign after suffering a season-ending knee injury this offseason, he announced on his personal X account.

Impact Rusk transferred to Illinois from Murray State, where he put together a highly productive year in 2023. The tight end reeled in 39 catches for 507 yards and six touchdowns, and was slated to be one of, if not the top tight end for the Illini this fall. Now, some combination of Tanner Arkin, Henry Boyer and Carson Goda look like the face of Illinois' tight end room this coming season.

AUGUST 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Commits to Illinois Rusk announced Friday that he is transferring to Illinois, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Rusk proved to be a strong pass-catcher at the tight end position in 2023, recording 39 receptions for 507 yards and six touchdowns for Murray State. Rusk will likely compete for a starting job at Illinois in 2024.

JANUARY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Enters transfer portal Rusk has announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal, Mike Farrell of MikeFarrellSports.com reports.

Impact Rusk will depart from Murray State after spending one season with the Racers. The 6-foot-6 sophomore tallied 39 receptions for 507 yards and six touchdowns across 11 outings in 2023.

DECEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE