CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Kaden Feagin feels great.

“I definitely don’t feel any effects from it,” Feagin mentioned on Tuesday when asked about the lingering impact of the hip injury that cut short his 2024 season.

Of course, getting to the point of being able to say that was a long road.

Feagin missed Illinois’ last eight games of his sophomore season after hurting himself in practice.

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The injury occurred during a period when Feagin, an Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond alum, along with his coaches, believed he was poised to elevate his performance to the next level.

“I came away from that Penn State game with a lot of confidence,” he stated. “During the bye week practices and leading up to the Purdue [game preparation], I felt really good.”

Feagin ran for 306 yards and three touchdowns in the five games he played in as a sophomore.

He says the game slowed down in his head through being in observation mode for several months while his physical ability was limited.

He describes the feeling of returning to the field now as grateful. Nevertheless, it required a significant amount of hard work during the offseason.

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“I’m very routine,” Feagin said of his offseason work. “That kind of comes from my grandpa.”

Feagin is from Atwood, Illinois. His grandfather, on his mom’s side, would drive over from Hammond early in the morning.

“On a typical summer day, I’d hear a knock at my door at 6 a.m.,” Feagin remembered. “He’d say, ‘Let’s go mow the lawn’ or something similar.”

The early wake up calls, similar to those require during Feagin’s offseason recovery process, taught him a lot.

“He’s always staying active,” the Illini running back said about his grandfather, who is nearing 80 years old. “I think a lot of my work ethic comes from him. Watching how he cares for and provides for the family, he’s an excellent role model for me.”

His grandfather is a retired electrician but the ALAH product says he keeps plenty busy.

Feagin was named to a watch list for a national award on Tuesday, alongside his teammate Aidan Laughery.