Aidan Laughery News, Rumors, Updates - Illinois Fighting Illini

Expected to share backfield Laughery is expected to split carries in Illinois' backfield with Ca'Lil Valentine, Scott Richey of The News-Gazette reports.

Impact Laughery has played a consistent role in Illinois' backfield since 2024 and will seemingly play a part in it once again this season. With Kaden Feagin having switched positions, an opportunity has opened up for Laughery to split carries with Ca'Lil Valentine. Valentine emerged as the lead back last year, which resulted in fewer snaps for Laughery, but he will look to recreate his productive 2024 campaign, where he had 97 attempts for 589 yards and four touchdowns.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Scores in defeat Laughery logged eight carries for 50 yards and one touchdown and hauled in all four targets for 12 yards during Saturday's 34-16 defeat versus Ohio State.

Impact Laughery found the end zone on a one-yard plunge in the third quarter, bringing the Fighting Illini within 10 points at the time. The 5-foot-11 running back made his return to action against the Buckeyes, working his way back onto the field after missing the team's previous matchup agianst Purdue due to an undisclosed injury. His next chance will come against Washington next week.

OCTOBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No. 1 Ohio State turns 3 takeaways into 21 points and beats No. 17 Illinois 34-16

Julian Sayin passed for two touchdowns, C

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Aidan Laughery scores on trick play, shrinking Illinois' deficit against Ohio State

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Full go for Week 5 Laughery (undisclosed) is a full go for Illinois' clash with USC in Week 5, per Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com.

Impact The tailback was reportedly available for Illinois' beatdown at the hands of Indiana in Week 4, but he didn't end up suiting up in an embarrassing loss for the Illini. However, he's a full go for Week 5, meaning he should suit up and play against USC on Saturday afternoon. Laughery, who hasn't played since Week 2, has 15 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns this fall.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Misses Week 4 Laughery (undisclosed) was cleared to play against Indiana on Saturday, but he went through warm-ups and didn't feel good enough to go out there, Cooper O'Kelly of The Champaign Ro...

Impact Laughery has now missed back-to-back games as he deals with an undisclosed injury. The junior running back's next chance to see the field will be this upcoming Saturday against USC. He's logged 15 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns across two games this season.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to return to practice Laughery (undisclosed) will practice for Illinois either Tuesday or Wednesday, per Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com.

Impact The tailback missed Illinois' Week 3 blowout win over Western Michigan with an injury that's limited him since his strong opener against Western Illinois in which he ran for 101 yards and two scores on nine carries. However, he appears to be trending in the right direction as he's back at practice for the Illini. Whether or not he plays against Indiana is another question all together, and in his absence, Kaden Feagin led the way with 20 carries.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Luke Altmyer scores 3 TDs, No. 9 Illinois shuts out Western Michigan

Luke Altmyer threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and No. 9 Illinois shut out Western Michigan 38-0

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

Illinois Football Injury Updates: Status of Aidan Laughery, Dylan Rosiek, More With Western Illinois on deck Saturday at Champaign's Memorial Stadium, the Illini have several players who are questionable to play

SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 • SI.COM

GTD Saturday Head coach Bret Bielema revealed that Laughery (undisclosed) practiced with the team on Thursday and will be a game-time decision fo Saturday's contest against Western Michigan, pe...

Impact Laughery was previously a no-show against Duke last week and disappeared for most of the second half, so the news of his current ailment doesn't come as much of a surprise. The 5-foot-11 running back had a huge game in Illinois' season opener against Western Illinois and will be hoping to return to that form should he suit up against the Broncos. If he is unable to go, Kaden Feagin will likely step up to lead the way for the Fighting Illini as he did against the Blue Devils.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No-show in Durham Laughery compiled six carries for five yards during Saturday's 45-19 victory against Duke.

Impact Following up on his electric performance in the Fighting Illini's season opener against Western Illinois, Laughery was a no-show against the Blue Devils on Saturday. The 5-foot-11 running back saw limited opportunities but was unable to get anything going, averaging less than a single yard per rushing attempt and was mostly absent in the second half. Better days lie ahead for Laughery, with Saturday's matchup against Western Michigan serving as his next opportunity.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No-show in Durham Laughery compiled six carries for five yards during Saturday's 45-19 victory against Duke.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Huge day in opener Laughery accrued nine carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns and caught all two targets for 22 yards during Friday's 52-3 win versus Western Illinois.

Impact Laughery had a massive opener during the Fighting Illini's demolition of FCS Western Illinois, averaging over 11 yards per attempt while crossing the century mark and finding the end zone twice. The 5-foot-11 running back highlighted his big play ability on his scoring runs, finding the end zone on scampers of 25 and 57 yards in the second and fourth quarters, respectively. Laughery took a big step forward for the Illini in 2024, running for 589 yards and four touchdowns on just 97 attempts and appears poised to have a breakout season in Champaign in 2025. A matchup against Duke awaits on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No. 11 Illinois visits Duke in Week 2

The No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini hit the road to square off against the Duke Blue Devils

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 • Associated Press

Beatty returns punt for TD, breaks Grange's nearly 102-year-old mark in No. 12 Illini's opening rout

Hank Beatty returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown and broke Red Grange’s nearly 102-year-old Illinois record for yards on punt returns to help the No. 12 Illini rout Western Ill...

AUGUST 30, 2025 • Associated Press

No. 12 Illinois and star QB Luke Altmyer are ready to enter uncharted territory

The ingredients are there for No. 12 Illinois to emerge from years of mediocrity and make a run into the 12-team College Football Playoff

AUGUST 20, 2025 • Associated Press

Leading split backfield Laughery is set to be the first back for Illinois, per Doug Bucshon of on3.com.

Impact Laughery will be part of a split backfield for Illinois this season, bringing explosiveness that should serve as a key component of the offense. The junior back appeared in 12 games this past season, totaling 589 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 97 attempts.

AUGUST 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Monster day in season finale Laughery notched 12 carries for 172 yards and three touchdowns during Saturday's 38-28 win over Northwestern.

Impact Laughery was a dominant force for the Fighting Illini throughout the day, rattling off multiple runs of 30+ yards while averaging a monstrous 14.3 YPC. The sophomore running back found the end zone on runs of 30, 64 and 31 yards to extend the Illinois lead on his way to a career day against the Wildcats. Laughery finished the regular season with 522 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in 11 games and will look to keep his positive momentum going in Illinois' upcoming bowl game.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tip of the Hat to Laughery, Illinois in rivalry win over Northwestern Taking Interstate 57 most of the way, Gibson City is 123 miles south of Wrigley Field. On Saturday, Aidan Laughery, one of the community’s n...

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Aidan Laughery's career day helps No. 23 Illinois run over Northwestern Aidan Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career-highs, to propel No.23 Illinois past Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday at Wr...

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • SACBEE.COM

Not on injury report Laughery (undisclosed) is not on the injury report for Friday's game at Nebraska.

Impact Laughery was already listed as probable, so it's not surprising to see him being listed as available for this Big Ten matchup against Nebraska. Laughery will add depth in the backfield, but he's expected to operate as the backup of Kaden Feagin.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Set to play Friday Laughery (undisclosed) is back in practice and will be available for Friday's game against Nebraska, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Head coach Bret Bielema confirmed that Laughery will be available for Friday's game against Nebraska, but it remains to be seen how many touches he'll handle. Laughery should continue as a backup option in the backfield behind Kaden Feagin.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DNP against Central Michigan Laughery (undisclosed) did not appear in Saturday's 30-9 win over Central Michigan.

Impact Laughery was expected to suit up for the Fighting Illini this weekend despite dealing with an undisclosed injury, but he was ultimately unable to do so. The 5-foot-11 sophomore, who has tallied 14 carries for 89 yards through two outings, will have his next chance to return against Nebraska on Friday.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dressed and warming up Laughery (undisclosed) is dressed and warming up ahead of Saturday's game versus Central Michigan, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Laughery, who is listed as questionable on the team's injury report, is participating in pre-game warmups. While his participation does not guarantee his availability, it's certainly a positive sign for him and the Fighting Illini.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Saturday Laughery (undisclosed) is questionable for Saturday's game versus Central Michigan.

Impact After playing just 11 snaps in Week 2, Laughery is questionable to play in Week 3. He has 14 rushed for 89 yards in two games this season, so his absence would be a blow to the Illini depth at running back. His participation -- or lack thereof -- in pregame warmups should determine his availability.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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