With the college football landscape the way it is, it is hard for teams like the Illinois football program to build out depth.
On top of depth, having players stick around for multiple years has become somewhat of a rarity. Ironically, for the Illini, this is actually becoming a strength for the program.
Honestly, this is a testament to Bret Bielema and the way he runs his program. He builds relationships and uses money wisely to help build the quality depth that sticks around. Heading into 2025, that is exactly what I see with the running back room.
Illinois wasn’t great on the ground last season, ranking No. 78 in the country with 146.3 yards per game. Some of that came from the quarterback, too. So, if we are just talking about running back production, those numbers are even worse.
But injuries were a big cause of the lack of running back production. Now that we are healthy, the running back room should be a sneaky strength for the Illini.
Illinois football should be able to lean on the running backs to seal away games
Illinois running back highlights – Strength in numbers
The old saying that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none that doesn’t apply to the running back position. In fact, Illinois’ strength at running back is the fact we can go at least three deep on the depth chart.
Aidan Laughery is going to get the start. He is the healthiest running back Illinois has returning, and he led the team with 6.1 yards per carry last season. I look for Laughery to build on the 97 carries for 589 yards and four touchdowns.
It wouldn’t shock me to see three Illinois running backs each get over 100 carries in 2025. We had four running backs touch the rock last season, and they combined for 334 carries. If you split that three ways, that is 111 carries per running back.
Kaden Feagin and Ca’Lil Valentine will be the other two running backs carrying the rock for the Orange and Blue. Feagin is more of a Derrick Henry type of running back, while Valentine gives me vibes of Reggie Corbin. Both have their own specialties, and Bielema will use them to their fullest potential.
Illinois running back lowlights – Leading rusher is gone
There aren’t a lot of lowlights for the Illinois running back room. I thought about going the injury route, but all three running backs are healthy entering 2025.
I think the biggest lowlight for the Illini at running back is the fact that we are missing our leading rusher from last season.
Josh McCray had a huge Citrus Bowl after leading Illinois with 117 carries for 609 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season. Georgia came calling and dumped a bag on his lap, and McCray bolted for the Bulldogs.
The way McCray came on last season was big for the Illini. He was the MVP of the Citrus Bowl in a win over a South Carolina team that is projected to be pretty good in 2025. He will be missed this season, but Illinois should be able to make up for his production.
Illinois running back future – Youth is on our side
It is pretty wild how much talent Illinois has at the running back position. Moreover, the fact that we have everyone back next season is also crazy.
The three running backs I mentioned earlier, Feagin, Laughery, and Valentine, all have at least another year of eligibility. Feagin and Laughery are only juniors, while Valentine is just entering his sophomore campaign.
While all three could be back in 2026, Illinois also has a nice stable of ball carriers waiting in the wings.
John Forster was a big get for the Illini in the class of 2025. He is likely out for the season with an injury, but he should be back as a redshirt freshman next season. The four-star recruit will be ready to contribute. I also like Cedric Wyche II. He was a massive get from the high school powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.
From top to bottom, Illinois has a ton of talent at running back. The future at the position is pretty solid, too, as all players who suit up this season can come back in 2026.