Pronunciation: kuh-LEEL

2025 Sophomore

• Career-most nine rushing attempts, for 51 yards, in Week 1 victory over Western Illinois (8/29/25)

2024 Freshman

• Played in 12 games at running back
• Scored first-career touchdown at #1 Oregon (10/26/24)
• Carried the ball five times for a career-best 53 yards in win vs. Central Michigan (9/14/24), including a career-long 22-yard rush
• Rushed for what was then a career-high 25 yards vs. #19 Kansas (9/7/24)
• Made his Illinois debut vs. Eastern Illinois (8/29/24), rushing for 16 yards on his first-carer carry

High School

• Four-star recruit by ESPN, On3, and Rivals
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports
• Running back ranks: #23 (Rivals), #24 (On3), #30 (ESPN), #44 (247Sports)
• State of California ranks: #5 (On3), #6 (ESPN), #9 (Rivals), #11 (247Sports)
• Played for head coach Rick Garretson at Chandler
• Rushed for 3,242 yards and 42 rushing touchdowns during three-year high school career
• 1,332 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns as a senior
• 1,347 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns as a junior
• AIA 6A All-State
• Archie Amerson Running Back of the Year
• Also ran track in high school and helped break the school 4x100 record
• Offers included Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boise State, Boston College, Colorado State, Kansas State, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Washington State

Personal

• Born February 8, 2006
• Son of Cleveland and Jasmine Valentine
• Two brothers, Tair Brooks and Damari Valentine, and two sisters, LaNiya Valentine and Kacey Valentine
• Chose Illinois because, “It felt like home as soon as I touched down, I feel like I can impact this program a lot, and I love all the coaches.”
• Majoring in recreation, sport, and tourism