In the third round of Friday’s NFL Draft, Illinois Fighting Illini tight end Tip Reiman was selected by the Arizona Cardinals (82nd overall).

Reiman, a former backup, was the team’s top tight end in the 2023 season. He would finish with 19 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns.

The 6-foot-5, 271-pound senior was also described as a solid blocking tight end and was projected to be selected in the fourth round. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said, “Reiman’s career will be defined by his blocking, which should be good enough to make it in the league.”

Reiman was ranked as the eighth-highest-rated prospect at his position by NFL.com.

The Rapid City, SD native had just two scholarship offers coming from high school, South Dakota and South Dakota State. In the offseason before the 2021 season, as Reiman began his sophomore campaign, he was one of five walk-ons to receive a scholarship from Bret Bielema.

Three years later, he will train with Kyler Murray and James Conner as he prepares for his rookie season in the NFL.

Reiman will join Illinois teammate Isaiah Adams in the desert, as the lineman was also taken by the Cardinals in the third round on Friday night.

Reiman is the second-highest drafted tight end in Illini history: Ken Dilger was taken 48th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1995.

Congratulations, Council!