Tip Reiman
Tip Reiman Jr. is an American professional football tight end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Early life
Reiman was born on September 17, 2001, and grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. He attended St. Thomas More High School there before transferring as a junior to O'Gorman Catholic High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he played football as a tight end after having seen action at several positions. As a senior, he helped O'Gorman win the state championship game. He also participated in track and field. Reiman received athletic scholarship offers from the South Dakota Coyotes and South Dakota State Jackrabbits, but opted to walk-on to play for the Illinois Fighting Illini.College career
As a true freshman at Illinois in 2020, Reiman played all eight games and was mostly used on special teams. He received a scholarship from the school in 2021 and that year played 12 games, three as a starter, recording three receptions for 43 yards. The following year, he recorded 19 receptions for 174 yards and one touchdown while starting all 13 games. He returned for the 2023 season and became team captain; he recorded 19 receptions for 203 yards and three scores while starting all 12 games. Off the field, Reiman was named Academic All-Big Ten Conference each year from 2021 to 2023. Reiman declared for the 2024 NFL draft and was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.Professional career
2024 season
Reiman was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 82nd overall pick. He began his rookie season as the Cardinals' third tight end behind starter Trey McBride and second-stringer Elijah Higgins. Reiman made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. In his first game, Reiman played 31 total snaps. In Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, Reiman recorded his first NFL reception for five yards as the Cardinals won 24-23.In addition to their roles as tight ends, Reiman and fellow tight end Elijah Higgins both occasionally played the position of fullback as the Arizona Cardinals did not carry an official fullback on their roster.
Reiman played in 17 games and started 9 as a rookie, playing 450 offensive snaps and 189 special teams snaps. He saw extensive usage as a blocker, both in pass protection and as a run blocker and played the second most snaps of any Cardinals tight end aside from starting tight end Trey McBride. Reiman recorded 6 receptions on 7 targets for 37 yards. Reiman played 395 snaps aligned as in-line, 20 snaps in the backfield, 23 in the slot, and 23 snaps out wide.