On Friday night, the Arizona Cardinals selected Tip Reiman out of Illinois with the 82nd overall pick in the 2024 National Football League draft. Reiman has played tight end collegiately for the University of Illinois, but before his college playing days, his identity was strongly attached to South Dakota.
Reiman lived in Rapid City through most of his young life . He played high school football for Wayne Sullivan at St. Thomas More through his junior year. He then moved to Sioux Falls before his senior season and played one year for O’Gorman. Reiman would win an 11AAA state football championship with the Knights in 2019. He even scored a touchdown in that title game.
A look back at this 30-yard touchdown reception by O'Gorman's Tip Reiman during the 2019 11AAA state title game.
— SDPB Sports (@SDPBSports) April 27, 2024
Reiman was selected 82nd overall by the @AZCardinals on Friday night during the third round of the #NFLDraft . pic.twitter.com/S8OlhxLDT7
By most draft analysts, Reiman was ranked as one of the top blocking tight ends in this year’s draft. As a senior for Illinois, he caught 19 passes for 203-yards and three touchdowns. But at 6-5, 271-pounds, he’s a force when it comes to assisting in the run game.
“[He’s a] big physical blocker, really tested. Impressive test athlete, but really had a good, really came on this year I would say. And then had a good week down at the East-West game,” said Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort. “We had Drew Terrell (Cardinals passing game coordinator/wide receiver coach) down there, one of our coaches coached Tip down there on his team, so we had some intel.”
Tip Reiman’s reaction to being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.
— Nate Wek (@Nate_WekSDPB) April 27, 2024
Tip grew up in Rapid City, moved to Sioux Falls, and graduated from O’Gorman.
South Dakota representing in the ‘24 NFL Draft on Friday night.
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In quotes acquired by Zach Gershman of the Arizona Cardinals, Reiman told him he likes “mauling” people over.
"I like putting my hands on somebody and doing what I want. Move them exactly where I want against their will. It's fun,” said Reiman. “I feel like it's a gift the Lord gave me and I am honoring Him in doing that."
As a third-round pick, it’s hard to know exactly where Reiman will fall on the Cardinals depth chart, but with the departure of Geoff Swaim in free agency, Arizona will likely lean on Reiman in two tight end sets and goal line situations.
Reiman joins Dallas Goedert and Tucker Kraft as other tight ends drafted into the National Football League from South Dakota. Zach Heins, a stand out tight end for Sioux Falls Washington and South Dakota State, went undrafted in this year’s draft. He did, however, sign as an undrafted free agent on Saturday with the Seattle Seahawks.
Mason McCormick (Sioux Falls Roosevelt and South Dakota State), one of the top guards in the FCS, was drafted in the fourth round on Saturday by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
