How’s Illinois Football RB Kaden Feagin Feeling After His Return?

After suffering a hip injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2024 season, running back Kaden Feagin is back on the turf for Illinois Football, feeling good, and fully cleared to lead the way for the Illini’s strong backfield in 2025.

The loss of Feagin in 2024 was a tough blow for the Illini. Just as the bruising back began to gain momentum for a potentially special sophomore season, the Arthur (IL) native’s promising season came to an abrupt and disappointing end.

Despite only playing in 4 1/2 games in 2024, Feagin still managed to tally 306 yards and 3 touchdowns on 67 carries (4.6 yards per attempt). Notably, 133 of those yards came in his final two outings (69 yards against Nebraska and 64 against Penn State), signaling that both he and the run game were trending in the right direction before the unfortunate setback.

Now, with a full offseason on the grind of rehabilitation and recovery behind him, a major bounce-back year could be in order for No. 3. According to the Illini’s talented rusher, he’s soaking up every moment of his return.

Credit: Imagin

Illinois Football RB Kaden Feagin on His Return to the Turf

After 10 months off the field to rehab and recover, Feagin is more than excited to be back in his element, feeling good, and ready to contribute once again as a key factor in Barry Lunney Jr’s offense in 2025.

According to Kaden, it feels great to be back in the swing of things—and he’s appreciating every step of the journey.

“Definitely really good. I mean, what was it – 10 months with no football? So, just to get the opportunity to get back out there and be with my teammates is really nice.”

When asked if he was still feeling any lingering effects from the injury, Feagin replied, “No, definitely not,” and went on to credit the training staff for helping him bounce back so quickly: “I feel great. The crew up there, the training staff, and all that, Chase (Louthan), you know, they’re all great. I definitely don’t feel any effects from it.”

Later in the interview, he added, “For me, it’s just being grateful – just getting the opportunity to play again. Coming from two injuries in a row is hard mentally sometimes. But, getting back out there and being able to play a sport that I love to play… It’s really, really great. Just having fun again out there.”

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