The under-the-radar factor that will power Illinois football in 2025

TCR / David J. Pollak

When the expectations of the 2025 Illini football team hit the stratosphere, there was a word that spammed the masses:

Retention.

Retention is at the core of the Illini Renaissance. Getting Luke Altmyer back gives Illinois a productive three-year starter at the most important position. And it is a giant medal stand moment against the SEC and their bottomless budgets.

TCR // David J. Pollak

Convincing Gabe Jacas to play another college season was a coup. It brings a legit Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year candidate with All-American

upside back to Champaign. It gives Aaron Henry’s defense a different kind of ceiling. And it’s also another punch to the face of the Southeastern Conference and its arrogant largesse.

(Also, JC Davis, Matthew Bailey, and Xavier Scott are potential all-conference players who could have moved on to the pros but instead came back to finish business.)

Bret Bielema does a tremendous job of recruiting players currently on the roster. The squad’s infectious loyalty to the program and coaches is driving the hype train better than any 20 journalists ever could.

But retention isn’t the only word starting with “R” that could drive the Illini to their fullest potential.

Recovery could play a massive role.

Players returning to school make bigger stories. But players who had part of last season taken from them could provide a nitro boost to the roster’s tremendous upside.

Kaden Feagin

TCR // Craig Pessman

Kaden Feagin has only 162 career carries for the Illini. For such a significant player, he’s made his impact with quality more than frequency. But he’s as symbolic of the astronomical potential of this roster as anyone.

Feagin was one of Bielema’s first major recruiting wins. Illinois won Feagin’s commitment over (among others) Notre Dame and Iowa. If you keep score, those are the two schools that most aggressively drink the Illini’s milkshake on the recruiting trail.

(Or at least they used to.)

A healthy Feagin with his ability to make people miss and make people suffer is the ideal complement to Aidan Laughery’s game-defining speed.

With his ability to impact the game as a runner and receiver, he could be Luke Altmyer’s primary weapon in an entirely healthy campaign. Even in a part-time role, Feagin makes a lethal late hammer for a team that will have to seal the deal in multiple one-score games.

Cole Rusk

TCR // David J. Pollak

The discussion about Illinois Football’s inability to recruit an impactful receiving tight end is nothing new. The skill set has been lacking since DJ Barker took his talents to East Lansing.

Cole Rusk was expected to be the big target in the middle of the field to help Luke Altmyer take the next step last year. Thankfully, Luke is a self-starter and improved thoroughly throughout his second season starting for the Illini.

Rusk suffered a season-ending injury before ever suiting up for a game as an Illini. His absence was felt, but his presence could be an absolute game-changer.

The departures of Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin left a hole in Illinois’ red zone strategy. Rusk immediately projects as a big target capable of finishing drives in the end zone.

The Quad Cities native was a sought-after target in the transfer portal last year. Now, he gets the chance to line up next to an experienced offensive line, multiple experienced big-play receivers, and a quarterback with whom he has excellent rapport.

A healthy season could lead to a true breakout for a player with clear NFL upside.

Illinois QB @lukealtmyer9 #QBcountry pic.twitter.com/sM6DN6AMV9

— QB Country (@QBCountry) May 25, 2025

Dylan Rosiek

TCR // David J. Pollak

Dylan Rosiek embodies exactly what you want a team captain to represent. He has improved each year as a college player. He is productive, consistent, and accountable.

So there is no doubt that he was diligent in his rehabilitation from a season-ending injury in the Minnesota game.

The linebacker room Rosiek re-enters is not the same room he left. Archie McDaniel has done a hell of a job in the film room, on the practice field, and on the recruiting trail. He’s reformed the position to be an opportunistic, playmaking, fast, athletic group that makes an impact at all three levels. Newcomers like Grant Beerman and Ismael Kante add to a room in which James Kreutz, Kenenna Odeluga, and Malachi Hood all emerged and improved in Rosiek’s absence.

The room is loaded with potential, but Rosiek’s accomplishments, experience, and demeanor lend gravitas to the possibilities. As a leader on a defense with Matthew Bailey, Gabe Jacas, Xavier Scott, Miles Scott, and four transfer starters from other P4 programs, a healthy Rosiek can continue being Aaron Henry’s tactical hitman on Saturdays.

The sack that sealed the deal in Champaign #B1GFootball x @IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/2XtqpN3WeB

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 12, 2024

Seriously, he had 60 tackles and (arguably) the defensive play of the year for the Illini in nine games. In a full year with an elite supporting cast,

Rosiek projects as an all-conference linebacker like his childhood friend Jake Hansen.