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Aidan Laughery named Illinois football team captain for upcoming season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 2:21 AM

Last updated Aug 21, 2026

Aidan Laughery named Illinois football team captain for upcoming season

Summary

Aidan Laughery, a running back from Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, has been elected captain of the Illinois football team, as announced on August 21. After a journey that began with his commitment in July 2021, Laughery has faced injuries but showed resilience in his performance. He contributed significantly in the 2024 season, accumulating 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Northwestern at Wrigley Field. He has also been a key player in Illinois' Music City Bowl victory over Tennessee. His appointment reflects the trust and respect of his teammates, as indicated by Illinois head coach Bret Bielema's remarks on his leadership and recent performances in scrimmages.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Laughery elected team captain by Illinois football roster
•Committed to Illinois in July 2021
•Recorded 1,061 rushing yards in college career
•Contributed to Music City Bowl victory over Tennessee
•Bielema praises Laughery's leadership and on-field skills

Latest Updates

2:21 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Means a lot’ GCMS grad Laughery reacts to being named Illini team captain

What they're saying

"
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – It was July of 2021 when Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley running back Aidan Laughery announced his commitment to play football at the University of Illinois. Fast forward five years, and Laughery was voted a team captain for Illini football, the team announced on Wednesday. “It’s crazy,” Laughery told WCIA. “When I was [a […]
— Yahoo Sports

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