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Illinois Tight Ends Form Special Bond Amid Offseason Changes
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- Illinois Tight Ends Form Special Bond Amid Offseason Changes
Illinois football has been one of the better Big Ten teams since coach Bret Bielema 's arrival in 2021, but the Fighting Illini generally don't get the same caliber of "star" talent that other league programs do out of high school.
The Fighting Illini have pressed forward, focusing on player development, intangibles, and coaching while allowing creative moves like the one undertaken by former running back Kaden Feagin this offseason.
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Feagin came to Illinois as a running back and has compiled over 1,200 yards in three seasons with the Fighting Illini including 507 last season.
This offseason, he made the switch to tight end, a move that included new responsibilities, new plays to learn, and new bonds with teammates that are starting to take form with the season less than a month away.
Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Dariel Djabome (8) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin(3) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Feagin Seeks Tough Love From Fellow Tight Ends
The Fighting Illini tight end has gotten along well with prospective starter Christian Abney , competitor Devin Stoffel, and the rest of the tight ends room so far based on comments shared recently.
Feagin has sought constructive criticism from his Illinois teammates and has gotten his fair share of it, along with friendships that he hopes will improve the team's tight ends this season in the Big Ten and non-conference seasons.
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"You know, Christian's a great dude, he's taught me so much about blocking and I remember the first day we were out in the annex here and all the tight ends were working after lifts and I'm like, 'Hey, Christian, if you see me doing anything wrong, like you can tell me," Feagin said in a video posted by Glenn Kinley of WCIA-3 Champaign .
"It's not gonna make me mad or anything, like, be hard on me, be critical.
"And I feel like that's in our whole room," Feagin added.
Feagin Shouts Out Tight Ends Coach
Illinois tight ends coach Jared Elliott has been a magnet for commentary this offseason after he was hired this past February.
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Feagin had words of support for the new tight ends coach, who has brought a different energy and system to a talented group.
"Coach Elliott has really helped our whole room come together, create a big bond between us, like this past summer, all the younger guys would...It's called a big brother system," Feagin said.
"So it'd be me, Christian, Devin Stoffel, and we got two other younger guys," Feagin, who switched to tight end from running back this offseason, said.
Feagin explained that the whole group often goes out to dinner and discusses the finer details of the position while out to eat.
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"We'll all go out, eat dinner, and just bond as a tight end group," he said.
Coach Elliott, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr., and the Fighting Illini have a wide variety of different body types and skillsets to throw at opposing defenses this season.
Feagin could be a go-to guy with enough reps, or he could become a specialist in a hybrid role.
The Fighting Illini tight end likely won't start, but he is quickly becoming part of a group of players ripe with starter potential heading into the 2026 season.
