Chambana Sun

Illinois tight end Tanner Arkin has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 John Mackey Award, according to an announcement from the Mackey Award Foundation on Friday.

Arkin is one of 46 players recognized as top tight ends in college football ahead of the 2025 season. He is among 12 honorees representing teams from the Big Ten conference.

The John Mackey Award, established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, honors college football's most outstanding tight end each year. The award is presented to a player who exemplifies play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values in line with Pro Football Hall of Fame member John Mackey. Past recipients include Tyler Warren from Penn State (2024) and Brock Bowers from Georgia (2023 and 2022). More information about the award can be found on its official website: https://www.johnmackeyaward.com/.

Arkin was voted a team captain for Illinois' 2024 squad, which tied a program record with ten wins, defeated #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and finished #16 in the final AP Top 25 rankings. He played all 13 games last season and recorded 16 catches for 111 yards with three touchdowns. Notably, he caught a touchdown pass and rushed for a career-long 36 yards on a fake punt during Illinois' win over #24 Michigan on October 19, earning recognition as the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week.

In addition to his performance against Michigan, Arkin achieved career highs with four receptions for 28 yards and one touchdown in Illinois' victory at #22 Nebraska on September 20. He also secured a five-yard touchdown catch during the season-opening win against Eastern Illinois.

Other Illinois players currently named to preseason watch lists as of August 8 include Luke Altmyer (Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award), Hank Beatty (Paul Hornung Award), J.C. Davis (Outland Trophy), Kaden Feagin (Doak Walker Award), Lane Hansen (Patrick Mannelly Award), Gabe Jacas (Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy), Aidan Laughery (Doak Walker Award), Kenenna Odeluga (Allstate Wuerffel Trophy), and Xavier Scott (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award).

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