Cole Rusk

2025 SENIOR Touchdown reception at Duke was his first career reception for the Illini 2024 JUNIOR Missed the season after suffering a knee injury during fall camp John Mackey Award Watch List Transferred to Illinois with two years of eligibility remaining 2023 SOPHOMORE (MURRAY STATE) FCS All-American Third Team All-Missouri Valley Conference Honorable Mention Played in 11 games 39 receptions for 507 yards and six touchdowns on the season 2022 REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (EASTERN MICHIGAN) Played in one game Made his collegiate debut against Akron 2021 FRESHMAN (EASTERN MICHIGAN) Did not play in a game and redshirted the season HIGH SCHOOL Three-start recruit by 247Sports Two-star recruit by Rivals 39 receptions for 684 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020 Set the school's single-season receiving yards record for a tight end (684) Ranked as the No. 59 recruit in the state of Illinois by 247Sports All-Three Rivers Conference’s Rock Division First Team Started his high school career at Rockridge High School in Taylor Ridge, Illinois Also played basketball in high school PERSONAL Born November 12, 2002 Son of Steve and Joan Rusk Father, Steve, lettered in wrestling at Illinois from 1994-95 and was a two-time qualifier for the NCAA Wrestling Championships One sister, Hanna Graduated from the University of Illinois in May 2025 with a degree in communication Majoring in management (Master's) RELATED CONTENT There is no related content available. Related Headlines Related Press Clips Related Videos Related Photos STATISTICS