It isn't often that a Division I power conference program can boast two players on the same preseason watch list, but this year, the Illinois Fighting Illini can do just that.
When the Doak Walker Award watch list was announced, two Illinois running backs found their names on the list: Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin, both returning juniors for the Illini backfield.
Last season, Laughery and Feagin played RB2 and RB3 to the star of the show, Josh McCray, who had nearly as many carries as the first two fullbacks combined. Now, it's Laughery and Feagin's turn to run the ball, and the combination is expected to be phenomenal.
The Kaden Feagin and Aidan Laughery two-headed monster
Over the last two seasons, Feagin earned an incredible 744 yards and five touchdowns for the Fighting Illini, averaging nearly five yards per carry. Meanwhile, Laughery, who has been with Illinois since 2022, earned 589 yards and four touchdowns during last season alone.
This season, with McCray out of the picture (his eligibility ran out after the 2024 season), the numbers for Feagin and Laguhery are expected to skyrocket.
Sure, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer may make a few runs of his own; he earned over 200 yards on the ground last season after all. However, his ability to consistently hand off the ball to a reliable running back will be key to keeping everyone on the offense healthy.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema could even deploy an NFL-esque offensive scheme, with two backs in the game: Laughery at fullback and Feagin at halfback, in order to have yet another blocker in front of whoever takes the ball downfield.
Why pick one when you can have two? @AidanLaughery and @FeaginKaden named to the @DoakWalkerAward watch list. pic.twitter.com/T59i3OyUKK
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 5, 2025
Or, Bielema could simply rotate Feagin and Laguhery in and out in order to give each running back enough rest and recovery while still allowing them to explore their full potential on the field.
Either way, Illinois fans can expect a lot out of their running back room this season, and that could bode really well for the Fighting Illini as Big Ten play gets underway.
Every year, the Doak Walker Award goes to the best running back in all of college football. It may be difficult for two athletes from the same program to compete for the same prize, but it could also fuel them to work that much harder to accomplish the ultimate reward.