Former Illini great and College Football Hall of Famer J.C. Caroline died on Friday.
He was 84.
Caroline led the nation in rushing as a sophomore in 1953 when he was named All-American. That season he rushed for 1,256 yards, which ranks sixth all-time on the UI's single-season list.
After an NFL career, he returned to the area and was a longtime coach in the Urbana school district.
"J.C. was certainly one of the all-time great football players in Illinois history," said UI spokesman Kent Brown, reached in Columbus, Ohio, ahead of Saturday's Illinois-Ohio State football game.