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Illinois Football: 5 Illini players who need more snaps against FAU

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA;Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Kenenna Odeluga (39) in the third quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA;Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Kenenna Odeluga (39) in the third quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois football
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

It has been a roller coaster of a start to the 2023 season for the Illinois football team.

After going 1-2 in the first three games, the Illini look to rebound nicely against a weaker Florida Atlantic opponent. This is a chance for Bret Bielema and the coaching staff to figure some things out.

Game plan adjustments need to be made. Depth chart adjustments need to be made. I also believe there needs to be an adjustment in snap counts.

Illinois has a lot of talent on this team, and some of the talent that has been hidden should be getting more snaps. This would help the team move the ball and stop the opposing team from scoring.

Here are five Illinois football players who should see more snaps against Florida Atlantic

1. RB Kaden Feagin

The Illinois offense hasn’t gotten off to the best start in the world. They have a hard time moving the ball, and drives seem to stall out when some momentum does start building.

One thing I have noticed over the past three games is the inability of the Illini to run the ball when they take out starting running back, Reggie Love III. The backup as of right now is Josh McCray. He burst onto the scene in 2021, but due to injuries, McCray hasn’t been the same the last couple of seasons.

In 2022, McCray only averaged 2.9 yards per carry from just 19 touches. This season, he also has 19 carries and is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry.

I love McCray and his freshman season was special, but I think Illinois needs to start giving some of his carries to freshman four-star, Kaden Feagin. He is someone who could easily be a force for the Orange and Blue, and it is time to display his talent.

Feagin only has five carries for 20 yards this season. That is a solid 4.0 yards per carry. When he does come into the game, he is a mountain of a human being. He is built like Leonard Fournette. I would love to see what Illinois could do with Feagin as the primary backup to Love.

In addition to just five carries for Feagin, he has only played 19 total snaps compared to 78 snaps for McCray. Illinois does see the potential of Feagin, though. 17 out of 19 snaps came against Penn State. He also had 17 snaps compared to McCray’s 16 snaps against the Nittany Lions.

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