Ca'Lil Valentine News, Rumors, Updates - Illinois Fighting Illini

Ca'Lil Valentine bursts for 51-yard rushing TD, extending Illinois' lead over UAB

1 HOUR AGO • FOX SPORTS

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

Impact Valentine is no stranger to splitting carries, having led Illinois' backfield in rushing yards last season while sharing duties with Kaden Feagin. With Feagin having converted to tight end, Valentine will likely share the workload again this year, this time alongside Aidan Laughery, who logged 75 carries for 382 yards last season.

AUGUST 20 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient showing in bowl game Valentine logged eight rushes for 65 yards and reeled in 3 of 4 targets for 28 yards during Tuesday's 30-28 win over Tennessee.

Impact Valentine came into his own over the last couple of games of the season, amassing a combined 22 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown in addition to three catches for 28 yards. He closes out his sophomore campaign with 131 totes for 614 yards and four touchdowns overall as part of a three-headed backfield alongside Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin, and all three backs are eligible to return next season. It will be interesting to see if they all decide to stick around in Champaign or if any decide to explore options via the transfer portal.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Leading rusher in season finale Valentine posted 14 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 20-13 win versus Northwestern.

Impact Valentine had a solid day against the Wildcats, finishing the contest with a team-high 74 rushing yards and a touchdown. The 5-foot-11 running back found the end zone on a six-yard scoring run in the first quarter, giving the Fighting Illini a 7-3 lead at the time. Valentine finished the regular season with 549 yards and four touchdowns on 4.5 yards per attempt through 12 games, adding seven receptions for 27 scoreless yards through the air as well. He will get one final chance to make an impact in the team's upcoming bowl game.

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Northwestern vs. Illinois 🏈 Short Highlights ⏳

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Miles Scott's 2 late interceptions secure Illinois' 20-13 win over Northwestern

Miles Scott had two interceptions in the final five minutes to lock down Illinois’ 20-13 victory over Northwestern

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Highlights | FOX College Football

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Active against Washington Valentine (undisclosed) will be available for Saturday's game against Washington.

Impact Valentine, who exited during Illinois' last game (Week 7 against Ohio State) with a lower-body injury, will be available against the Huskies this weekend. The 5-foot-11 sophomore has posted 64 carries for 329 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, along with four receptions for 15 yards through the air across seven games this fall.

OCTOBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to practice ahead of Week 9 Valentine (lower body) should be available to practice ahead of Illinois' clash with Washington, per Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette.

Impact Valentine was knocked out of Illinois' loss to Ohio State with an injury after logging three carries for six yards. The tailback has been a significant part of Illinois' ground game, rushing for 329 yards and three scores on 5.1 yards per carry as the second fiddle to Kaden Feagin. With everyone expected to practice for the Illini this week, Valentine should be considered probable prior to Week 9 against the Huskies.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to practice ahead of Week 9 Valentine (lower body) should be available to practice ahead of Illinois' clash with Washington, per Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with injury Valentine (lower body) exited Saturday's game versus Ohio State, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Valentine was tackled in the second quarter and his leg got caught under the Buckeye defender. The play did not look good, however he was walking with a limp shortly after so it may not be extremely serious. He is still in uniform on the sidelines, but was not in to return the second half kickoff.

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Leading runner in victory Valentine notched 22 rushes for 95 yards and one touchdown and gathered in 0 of 1 targets for zero yards during Saturday's 43-27 victory versus Purdue.

Impact Valentine put together his best outing of the year against the Boilermakers, recording season-high numbers in both yards and receptions on the day. The 5-foot-11 running back found the end zone on a 25-yard scamper in the second quarter, helping the Fighting Illini create separation from Purdue. Valentine will hope to build off his performance moving forward, though a tough matchup against Ohio State awaits on Saturday.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ca'Lil Valentine rushes for 25-yard TD to extend Illinois' lead over Purdue

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Scores in blowout Valentine recorded 10 carries for 63 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-0 win against Western Michigan.

Impact Valentine found the end zone on a two-yard plunge in the fourth quarter, extending the already insurmountable lead for the Fighting Illini. The 5-foot-11 running back has taken advantage of his limited opportunities to begin the 2025 season, running for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 25 attempts through three games. Unfortunately, with both Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin ahead of him on the depth chart, Valentine does not figure to see enough volume to provide value on a weekly basis, barring more blowout scenarios like Saturday. Valentine will hope to make an impact when the Fighting Illini travel to face Indiana on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in blowout Valentine recorded 10 carries for 63 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-0 win against Western Michigan.

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

CA'LIL VALENTINE NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG