Current Illini tight end, Daniel Barker, had a breakout 2019 campaign catching 18 passes for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns. Hopefully, those numbers can stay the same with incoming transfer and top 100 national recruit, Luke Ford, entering the program. Ford was one of the best tight ends in the nation coming out of the class of 2018 and will get his first chance at playing for the Orange and Blue this season.
Making sure there is always talent at the tight end position has become more important today than ever. The New England Patriots started the two tight end sets and many teams are forming their offenses around how well that worked.