Tanner Heckel stared down Michigan’s Semaj Morgan on a punt return last October, and the Illini sophomore may have an even ...

After playing on special teams as a true freshman, the Kansas native is competing for reps at cornerback and nickel CHAMPAIGN — Tanner ... of who Heckel is. Just 15 months ago, the Lyndon ...

The Illinois head coach thought it'd be worth moving sophomore Tanner Heckel to cornerback in spring ... He otherwise played basketball and tennis, and those skills translate to defensive back.

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry knows he has a unique player in cornerback Tanner ... Heckel flew a bit under the radar as a recruit, as he was a three-star prospect out of Lyndon ...