Bielema’s Trio of Tailbacks Ready to Roll For Illini in 2025

Illinois seems insistent to use a three-way tailback attack of Aidan Laughery, Kaden Feagin and Ca’Lil Valentine in a way that is not unique to the way Bret Bielema’s offenses dominated at Wisconsin.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 1, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — The story has been told but, with the way Bret Bielema continues to speak about his current tailback depth, it deserves to be repeated one more time.

The 2012 Big Ten Conference Championship Game still serves as not only his finale at Wisconsin but also the peak of . . .

 

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