Illinois’ Kaden Feagin Makes the Switch to Tight End - And It Might Be the Perfect Fit
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Kaden Feagin is on the move - not to a new team, but to a new role. After three seasons lining up in the Illinois backfield, the bruising running back is officially shifting to tight end for the 2026 season.
At first glance, it might raise some eyebrows. Feagin’s been a staple in the Illini ground game, racking up 507 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last season, while adding 16 catches for 188 yards and two scores through the air.
Not exactly the stat line of a pass-catching specialist. But when you dig deeper, the move starts to make a lot of sense.
Feagin is a physical specimen - 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, with surprising burst and agility for a guy his size. He’s always had the kind of frame that makes you wonder if he was playing out of position. Now, Illinois is leaning into that potential.
“I’m fired up about it,” said new tight ends coach Jared Elliott. “He’s going to fit really well in what we’re going to ask him to do and help that room. I’m excited to get to work with him.”
And Elliott’s not just excited about Feagin’s size - he sees the full package. The athleticism, the toughness, the willingness to block and catch - all traits that can translate well to the tight end position. It’s not hard to envision Feagin becoming a matchup nightmare: too fast for linebackers, too strong for defensive backs.
While Feagin’s receiving résumé is still developing - just 30 career catches - there have been flashes of what he can do when the ball’s in his hands. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema pointed to one play in particular: a 64-yard touchdown catch against USC last season that turned heads on the sideline and in the film room.
“He ran that swing route against USC, and he eclipsed 21 mph,” Bielema said. “Like I’m like, ‘Holy sh** this kid can run.’”
That kind of speed at 255 pounds? That’s not just rare - it’s dangerous.
Feagin’s move to tight end is part of a broader positional reshuffling in Champaign. Jordan Anderson, who played tight end last season, is flipping the script and heading to the running back room in 2026. It’s an intriguing swap - and one that speaks to the coaching staff’s willingness to lean into versatility and athletic upside.
With Feagin out of the backfield, the Illini will be looking to a new group to carry the load on the ground. That includes returners Ca’Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery, along with three-star freshman Javari Barnett and, of course, Anderson in his new role. It’s a room with potential, but also with something to prove.
As for Feagin, his journey is just getting started. Tight end isn’t just a new position - it’s a new opportunity to showcase the full range of his skills. And if that USC play was any indication, Illinois might have just unlocked a new weapon in its offensive arsenal.
Don’t be surprised if Feagin becomes one of the more intriguing storylines in the Big Ten this fall. He’s got the size, the speed, and now, a fresh start at a position that could suit him perfectly.