Same number (3), new position (tight end) working well for Feagin

Apr. 16—CHAMPAIGN — For most of his life, Kaden Feagin's football heroes were running backs. Specifically current Baltimore Ravens star and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Henry.

It made perfect sense. Both played tailback and both are on the bigger side at the position. Henry is listed at 6 feet, 2 inches and 252 pounds. Good luck to cornerbacks who try to tackle him.

On the Illinois roster, Feagin is listed at 6 feet, 3 inches and 260 pounds.

But Feagin isn't playing running back anymore. The pride of Arthur-Lovington-Atwood- Hammond has moved this spring to tight end.

Time to add to his list of heroes. Hello, Travis Kelce and George Kittle.

"I've been watching a little bit of Travis Kelce based on his routes and how he finds open spots in the zone," Feagin said. "George Kittle, how he blocks and how good he is in the blocking game. I'm watching both of those guys right now."

Feagin is learning daily about his new spot. About the blocking responsibilities that are vital.

Feagin will also be catching the ball more than ever.

Both his blocking and receiving were helped by former running backs coach Thad Ward.

"I feel like Coach Ward prepared the running backs a lot," Feagin said. "Last year during the summer, we always did route development. It has really helped me in the passing game."

Different voice

Ward has moved on to Kansas State. And Feagin has a new position coach, Jared Elliott.

Feagin is a fan of the new Illinois tight ends coach.

"I love Coach Elliott," Feagin said, "I love the way he coaches. He's so passionate. He demands your respect when he comes in the room. When he says something, you pay attention and you listen."

Feagin wants to know when he does something wrong. And Ellliott has been that guy.

"I'm pretty hard on myself, too," Feagin said. "The way he is so detailed, it's really helping my game. I feel like I'm improving on the small stuff each day."

Has any part of his new position surprised Feagin?

"Really just the mentality of it," he said. "At tight end, you're going to hit somebody. Running back, you're trying to avoid being hit in a way."

As spring practices wind down, Elliott likes what he has seen from Feagin.

"Kaden is a veteran. He's played a lot of football. But this is a whole new world within the world he already knew," Elliott said. "The progress he has made, I'm really pleased and really proud of him. ... Kaden is a coach's dream."

Elliott said Feagin has a tight end body.

"He's a big frame that's an athletic frame," Elliott said. "What you want in a tight end is a guy who can bring value in all the different areas — the run game, the pass game. I'm really excited where he is at this point."

Feagin is keeping his No. 3, a number not normally associated with tight ends. It has taken time for Elliott to get used to.

"A little bit," he said. "But it's fine."

The blocking piece will be the most difficult adjustment for Feagin as a tight end.

"As soon as you move up on the line of scrimmage, that's where the game changes," Elliott said. "He's doing really well that way."

Smooth move

After the 2025 Illinois regular-season finale against Northwestern, Feagin got together with his family to talk about his future.

He has missed time with injuries. Maybe another position would help him stay on the field.

And with his bigger frame, maintaining his running back weight has has been a challenge.

"Naturally, my body always wanted to keep getting bigger," he said.

Feagin sent a text message to Bret Bielema after the Northwestern game requesting a meeting.

"I told him, 'I think for my future, I feel I can benefit the team more in this role,'" Feagin said.

Bielema was on board immediately.

"It's a big change," Feagin said.

He is off his running back diet.

"I'm like, 'I'm a tight end now. I'm going to just eat,'" Feagin said. "I started eating whatever. I feel way stronger right now."

His guilty pleasure food: oatmeal cream pies. He has one a day.

"It's been nice to be able to eat those again," Feagin said.

Feagin is hoping he has two years at tight end with the Illini. After the 2026 season, he plans to apply for a medical redshirt going back to the 2024 season, when he played just five games.

Bielema's positive reaction got Feagin excited about the switch.

Was there a hard part?

"At first, just thinking about it, it was tough," he said. "But I just love the sport of football. Whatever is going to keep me playing the longest. If I play tight end, I have a chance of having a longer career."

Feagin had a strong career as an Illinois running, ranking among the Top 25 in yards at 1,251 for his career.

"I feel like I did a lot at that position," Feagin said.

His running back buddies are supportive.

"We're all really cool," Feagin said. "Sometimes, I make the block for them. We're all really close."

Feagin wants to clear more and bigger holes for his friends. He is working on his blocking.

"Just keeping my pad level down and keeping my feet in the ground," Feagin said.

The receiving part of tight end won't be totally new to Feagin. He has 30 catches during his Illinois career, including three for touchdowns.

Feagin was nervous his first day of spring practice at tight end. During a walkthough, a play was called and he had to stop himself from moving into the backfield.

"It's good to be nervous because it shows I care about it," Feagin said.