CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois running back Ca’lil Valentine is playing for more than just himself and his team in his sophomore season.

He often wears a necklace with a photo featuring him with his late grandmother.

On the back, it says you are the thinker that thinks the thoughts that make your dreams come true, a saying that still motivates him to be his best.

“I know she’s proud of me right now for sure, looking down, smiling very hard,” Valentine said. “I know she’s really, really proud of me.” “I think I’ve grown everywhere, every aspect of the game, I think I’ve grown tremendously in everything I’ve done, watching film preparation and practicing my routine on and off the field.”

“Just the way he practices right, game reps, tempo and really playing the game on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays allows him to play fast on Saturday,” Illinois assistant head coach and running backs coach Thad Ward said. “I think he’s starting to understand some of the deficiencies he had last year and has really stood up in trying to make those better.”

The Arizona native has given the Orange and Blue a strong backfield trio alongside Kaden Feagin and Aidan Laughery, rushing for 95 yards and one touchdown through two games.