The backfield of the Illinois football program is looking to make a big resurgence in the run game.
The Illini struggled on the ground throughout 2025, as they ranked No. 89 in the country with 138.1 rushing yards per game. They had a lot of promise playing behind quarterback Luke Altmyer, but ended up falling short in a few major statistical categories.
It was a tough thing to watch as an Illinois fan, but the tables should turn this upcoming season as lead-back Ca'Lil Valentine enters his third year with the program.
Ca'Lil Valentine breaks away for the TD 🔥 @IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/MeTE5TZ93Q
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 4, 2025
Valentine, a product of Chandler, Arizona, was a four-star recruit in the class of 2024 prior to committing to the University of Illinois. He was the No. 10-ranked player in the state of Arizona who recorded 212 yards and a touchdown in his first year with the program.
Last season, Valentine stepped his game up in a big way, upping his numbers to 614 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. It was a major improvement for the young running back, as he continued to cement his position as the starter with a team-leading 131 carries.
The 5-foot-11 Valentine is visibly getting more confident with each snap of the ball, and when the Illini officially kick off the 2026 season on September 3, he will begin a quest to become the team's first 1000-yard rusher since Chase Brown.
The country needs to be prepared for when Ca'Lil Valentine hits the 1,000-yard mark in 2026
Illinois experienced a great deal of turnover this offseason, with roughly 17 players being signed through the transfer portal to help replace 26 departures. They will almost have a brand new identity in 2026, which includes a new quarterback, multiple new receivers, and a revamped offensive line.
It has been a bit of a learning curve for Bret Bielema's bunch, as they have been working towards building a rapport with one another during camp. That is why to some fans, the thought of Valentine hitting this historic mark on the ground could be a bit over the top.
Valentine has a unique combination of strength, speed, and agility, and he certainly has all of the tools to become a feature back in the Big Ten. Not only that, opposing defenses will need to respect quarterback Katin Houser's ability to throw the deep ball, which should open up more lanes for Valentine to run.
The only thing that would stop Valentine from achieving this feat would be if the offensive line couldn't get synced up. The Illini will be breaking in four new starters in 2026, which will include former Wisconsin Badger Jake Renfro, as well as former Colorado State Ram Christian Martin.
If this unit can gel quickly with their protection and sustain it throughout the season, then all of the pieces will be in place for Valentine to have a monster year.
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