The News-Gazette · Nov 17, 2017
Former Illini great J.C. Caroline dies
J.C. CarolineFormer 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.