Ca'Lil Valentine on Doak Walker Watch List | Illinois Fighting Illini Football News

CaLil Valentine is heating up the Illinois football scene, earning a spot on the prestigious Doak Walker Award preseason watch list — joining elite company with 62 other top backs. Already the Illini’s leading rusher, he exploded for 614 yards and 4 TDs last season while adding 10 catches for 55 yards, proving he’s a versatile weapon. His efficiency shone brightest in the Music City Bowl, where he racked up 65 yards on just 8 carries. With a revamped offense on the horizon, Valentine is poised for even more carries and could break the 1,000-yard barrier — all while chasing the legacy of Chase Brown, the only other Illini to reach Doak Walker finalist status. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c2087070015fa0aa