Quick hits 'I have no reason to leave'
· Yahoo Sports
Oct. 21—Select Illinois offensive players and assistant coaches were available after Tuesday's practice as preparation for Saturday's game against Oregon ramped up for the Illini. Here's some of what they had to say, via beat writer
Scott Richey: Henderson locked in with Illini
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Brandon Henderson was surprised when he talked to his mom, Brandi Gilliam, last week and she asked if he was coming home during the bye week. Illinois' starting right guard hadn't made plans to visit East St. Louis, but his coach had. Once Henderson found out Bret Bielema was going to meet with his mom, the veteran offensive lineman understood the significance. Henderson might not be focused on his potential fifth year, but the Illini staff has made bringing him back a clear priority as Bielema and Co. look toward what the makup of their 2027 roster will be.
"It just shows how much they care," Henderson said. "I'm staying in the moment, but, obviously, I don't plan on going anywhere. I have no reason to go. I have no reason to leave. I've been here since my freshman year, and I've seen what Coach B. can do. I've been with (offensive line coach Bart Miller). I've seen the guys that come and go, and the majority of the line is in the league right now, so we're doing something right. Why mess that up?"
Leaning on Abney as a blocker
Illinois' rushing offense ranks ninth in the Big Ten and 79th nationally at the midway point of the season. The Illini run game is still evolving given Ca'Lil Valentine's season-ending injury and now the absence of quarterback Katin Houser. Moving the ball on the ground remains a priority, however, and Illinois will need all the help it can get up front Saturday against an Oregon defensive line that boasts three top 100 NFL draft prospects in A'Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander and Matayo Uiagalelei. That's where tight end Christian Abney comes in.
"That's been an area that we've really challenged him, and he's always been gifted in that way," Illinois tight ends coach Jared Elliott said. "He plays with that edge. It's fun to kind of watch him from a year ago to now. You can just see the offseason and what the weight room has done from a power standpoint and an explosion standpoint. The fight for the 'C' gap is real in the run game, and Christian is one of those guys, man, he takes it seriously. He's made an impact for us at the line of scrimmage."
Feagin settling into new role
Kaden Feagin spent the first half of Illinois' season still finding his way at tight end after spending the first three years of his Illini career as a running back. A concussion suffered in practice that kept him out of the Purdue game didn't help. Feagin was back on the field a week later against Michigan State and assumed a bigger role at his new position — particularly in the passing game with the former Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond standout producing a season-high three catches for 23 yards in Illinois' 38-37 Big Ten win in overtime in East Lansing, Mich.
"I knew it would be a transition — a couple games getting used to it, getting my feet wet," Feagin said. "I feel like every week I'm getting better and getting more confident with it. You've got a guy one-on-one across from you (at tight end), and you've got to win. Trying to beat the guy across from you every single play and just doing it for the team, I feel like that's the difference. It's knowing I've got to beat this guy for this play to work."