Illinois TE Cole Rusk announces he'll miss 2024 season after suffering devastating knee injury

Illinois tight end Cole Rusk announced he’ll miss the entire football season with a knee injury. It was a tough break for the transfer.

Rusk transferred in from Murray State following the start of his career at Eastern Michigan. Last year, he finished with 39 catches, 512 yards, six touchdowns and 13.1 yards per catch.

You can see his message below.

“After a great offseason and tons of excitement to live out a lifelong dream this season, I’m saddened to say I’ve suffered a season-ending knee injury,” Rusk wrote. “I’m already looking forward to coming back even better than before, and am still incredibly excited for our team to do big things this year. I came here to help us win, and I will do whatever it takes.”

As a member of the Class of 2021, Rusk was a three-star recruit out of Rock Island (Ill.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 56 overall prospect in the state, the No. 107 tight end in the class and the No. 1,868 overall prospect in the class.

Cole Rusk lost for season with injury

Rusk wasn’t the only transfer hoping to make an impact. Head coach Bret Bielema raved about Texas defensive back Terrance Brooks and what he brought to the back end.

“Two years ago we had three players drafted in the top three rounds out of the secondary,” Bielema began. “I knew we had some people to replace there. Unfortunately, last year also was hit a little bit by injury. Matt Bailey, who we factored into our playing line-up, literally played one snap of college football last year and had an injury that cost him his entire season. Xavier Scott tore his ACL during the course of the year. Two of our main secondary players, in addition to the three we lost, were lost for the season.

“I was super excited. Miles Scott transitioned from wide receiver to safety. He had a game-changing play in his first game as a starter against Toledo that returned for a pick six. He got better every year. He looks like a DB now. Super excited about Miles Scott and Xavier Scott. On the corner, a guy that hasn’t gotten a lot of outside pub, but a guy that last spring and this winter and this summer has had as good a time is Tyler Strain. He is a guy that has played a lot of football for us. He’s taken a step in the right direction. Super pumped to see exactly where he goes and where he is at.”