Tight end Christian Abney, a transfer from Ball State, has officially joined the Illinois football program. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Indiana native brings two years of eligibility and reunites with his former head coach Mike Neu, who recently joined Illinois as a senior offensive assistant.
Abney had interest from several other programs including Kansas, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Indiana, and Kentucky. During the 2023 season, he logged 413 snaps, catching five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown while splitting time with standout tight end Tanner Koziol. He also earned a 59.8 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
As a freshman in 2023, Abney appeared in seven games, including three starts, and recorded three catches for 16 yards. Originally a high school quarterback, he was rated a three-star recruit in the Class of 2023 and committed to Ball State over an offer from Butler.
Illinois has actively used the transfer portal to build its tight end depth. Abney joins a room already featuring three other transfer players: Tanner Arkin (Colorado State), Cole Rusk (Murray State), and Davin Stoffel (South Dakota State). While Illinois has largely recruited under-the-radar high school prospects at tight end, the staff is aiming for bigger additions in the 2026 class with in-state targets JC Anderson and Mack Sutter.
Abney is still learning the tight end position but brings valuable experience, athleticism, and physical development to the Illini. With nearly 600 FBS snaps under his belt, he offers depth at the position and could either serve as a rotational option or redshirt for further development. Illinois sees long-term potential in his skill set, especially with Neu providing detailed insight into his abilities and work ethic.
