3 game-changing players in the Illinois football game against Nebraska

3. RB Ca’Lil Valentine

The Illinois football team has one of the best running back rooms I have seen in a while. They can rotate ball carriers in and out and keep fresh legs going.

Illinois has dealt with some injury issues, though. Aidan Laughery is on the mend, so Bret Bielema needs players to step up and take the pressure off the talented running back.

One of those players is Ca’Lil Valentine. He is a true freshman who has burst onto the scene and has been Illinois’ most effective running back thus far. Through three games, Valentine has 17 carries for 96 yards, which comes out to 5.6 yards per carry.

Valentine has had some big moments in the first three games of his college career too. Bret Bielema trusted him enough to give him the rock in crunch time against Kansas, and he passed with flying colors.

Last season, Illinois struggled to run the football against Nebraska. Kaden Feagin led the way with five carries for 15 yards. Reggie Love III and Luke Altmyer had a combined six yards on 14 carries.

I think Valentine is key player because he is going to be Illinois’ change-of-pace running back. We will need some lightning to Feagin’s thunder, so I think that can be Valentine’s role. He is a talented running back who can help Illinois burst through a tough Nebraska run defense.