CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – James White was at the center of a national spotlight on multiple occasions.

White, who joined the Illinois football staff as an assistant running backs coach during the 2025 offseason, is a three-time Super Bowl champion. He racked up 3,278 receiving yards, 1,278 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns across eight seasons with the New England Patriots.

Obviously, serving as a decoy center or linebacker to help Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin in drills is a change of pace.

“He just brings a level of experience from the NFL level, the college level, all the success he’s had that is very valuable,” Laughery said. “Great coach. He pours a lot into us. Super excited to get in the fall camp with him.”

White played for Bret Bielema at Wisconsin. While he is likely as accomplished, football wise, as anyone at Memorial Stadium – he doesn’t care to talk about it often.

“He’s so humble, like you wouldn’t even notice, which is crazy,” Feagin said. “Watching him [play] growing up and all that it’s crazy that I’m in the same room with him. He’s just a normal guy. And you wouldn’t really know.”

White spoke with the media in March. Click here for that story.

Note: The story linked above was written/published before Josh McCray transferred to Georgia.