An Illinois football offensive weapon is making strides ahead of the Ohio State game according to a position coach.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are just days away from arguably their toughest game of the 2026 season in Columbus against the Ohio State Buckeyes, and will need an all-hands-on-deck approach to compete.
The Buckeyes figure to be riled up after a loss two weeks prior to the Texas Longhorns and an easy game against in-state foe Kent State last weekend.
On Tuesday, Fighting Illini fans got an encouraging update from tight ends coach Jared Elliot about a player who could be a difference maker during the upcoming Big Ten season who switched positions prior to the season.
Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) is pursued by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Jett Elad (9) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images Feagin's Skills Improving
Illinois' Kaden Feagin moved from running back to tight end this offseason in hopes of sparking the Fighting Illini's offense, but hasn't been much of a factor so far this season.
Feagin has played in all three of Illinois' first three games and has caught two passes for nine yards while also working as a blocker.
His production is considerably less than last season, when he ran for 507 yards and had 188 receiving yards as one of the team's top offensive players.
At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds Feagin brings plenty of bulk to the tight end position but is still learning the ropes as he works toward becoming an impact player again. Elliot has been amazed by his improvement recently according to Illini reporter Tristan Thomas.
"I saw a huge step from Week 1 to Week 2, and even from Week 2 to Week 3, which is natural, right?" Elliot said. "Kaden Feagin's played a lot of football, but like I told some other people he's playing the game wearing a whole different set of goggles on.
"He's looking at it through a whole lens on the line-of-scrimmage and the jobs we're asking him to do now."
Saturday against the Buckeyes presents an opportunity for Feagin to show how far he's come against a talented but fairly green Ohio State Buckeyes defense compared to its last few units.
Play Speed Ramping Up
Elliot also explained that the speed of Feagin's play is ramping up as he continues to learn the tight end position. Feagin has shown he can make things happen with the ball in his hands, now it's up to the Illini coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr., to get him the ball in the right spots.
"I saw a different speed from (Week) 1 to 2, to 2 to 3, in our games, a different confidence, and I anticipate that's only going to continue to grow the more ya do it, right?
"There's just that, you know, that comfort level that you start to build, and the confidence in how you play."
Elliot added that he is proud of Feagin, who has become something of a forgotten man since switching positions and giving way to Ca'Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery at the running back position.
"I'm excited just to see him continue to get better as the year goes on," Elliot added.
