CHAMPAIGN – Kendrick Foster’s second chance at playing came right here with the school that’s always been his first choice.

Just days after Illinois finished last football season with a loss to Northwestern to end the season without bowl eligibility, Foster announced his plans to transfer via Facebook. It wasn’t a surprising move for a guy who had just 78 yards rushing in his first three years on campus.

Months later, Foster is still here, and he never thought he would be playing for a Super Bowl coach. With Illinois short on running backs, Foster faces his big chance this fall. Surprisingly, the second chance at playing time came here instead of somewhere else.

“I was just frustrated,’’ he said following preseason drills on the Memorial Stadium practice fields. “I’d been here for three years, and I just wanted to make an impact like I did in high school.’’

Given the second chance, the suddenly confident is Foster is the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder from Peoria Richwoods who is battling with redshirt freshman Reggie Corbin for the backup running back spot behind sophomore Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

While Vaughn is the solid starter and future star, the Illini are lacking depth at the position. Vaughn played in 11 games as a freshman and made five starts. The only game he missed was because of injury. The sophomore from suburban Nashville, Tenn., was named preseason third-team all-Big Ten by two preseason publications.

Meanwhile, Dre Brown suffered a knee injury for the second straight year, and he will likely miss the entire year. True freshman Tre Nation is also battling for playing time, and the Illini will need as many running backs as they can find on the roster with a two-back scheme employed by offensive coordinator Garrick McGhee.

If Foster wanted to play and produce like he did in high school, he needed to act like he was in high school. Mission accomplished. He lost weight, regained some speed and provides leadership for a young group.

Foster rushed for 6,401 yards in his Richwood career and twice earned big school player of the year honors from the Peoria Journal Star – the first time a player received the award twice in its history. He carried Richwoods to deep runs in the playoffs. While some recruiters shied away from Foster because of his short stature, Illinois took a chance on a Peoria kid with big numbers.

Now Foster is just happy he stayed instead of his plans of transferring to an FCS program.

“That was the plan,’’ he said about making the jump. “My dad went to Illinois and played running back. My whole family is from Illinois. I bleed orange and blue. I could never leave. It was more of just trusting God, praying about it and speaking with my grandparents. I just felt getting a good education from Illinois was heavier than going somewhere else and trying to play.’’

It’s hard to say what interest Foster attracted. Illinois State and Northern Iowa, two power programs from the Missouri Valley Football Conference and FCS ranks, both showed strong interest. (Former Illini quarterback Aaron Bailey was the starter at Northern Iowa last fall.)

Now he decided to stay with the Illini, Foster trimmed his body fat from 15 percent to 11 percent with a goal of 9 percent by the season opener.

When coach Lovie Smith was hired, “we all sat down, and he said this was a fat team,’’ Foster said. “We have to lose weight. We were heavy, but we were just slow. He gave me a goal. I was at 15 percent before spring ball.’’

Losing weight is simple, Foster said. Just stay away from fast food, eat lots of grilled chicken and drink plenty of water.

“The past three years, my mind wanted to do something, but my body wouldn’t do it,’’ said Foster, who made a name for himself with big breakaway runs in high school. He was also a multi-time prep state qualifier in the sprints and sprint relays.

“I truly believe in myself and believe in the talent God gave me,’’ Foster said. “I have the talent to play here.’’

Running backs coach Thad Ward won’t deny it. In his first preseason camp with the Illini after leaving the staff at Northern Illinois, Ward has been watching Foster’s preseason following a productive summer.

“He’s had a great summer,’’ Ward said. “The guy’s in the weight room. He’s changed his body. He really has developed into a really good back. He took a lot of reps in the spring. It’s starting to play off. He has a great knack for the running game. He’s a hard worker, and he’s relentless. The guy brings leadership, and he knows the schemes.’’

It comes down to one motivating factor.

“He’s really hungry and looking for an opportunity to play,’’ Ward said. “He paid the price in the summer.’’

Of course, summer work doesn’t guarantee playing time in the fall. Corbin is a 5-9, 185-pounder from Maryland who is bouncing back from a torn labrum that kept him sidelined last season. Nation was a big commitment this spring, and the Illini will keep an eye on him.

“It’s still early,’’ Ward said. “If (Foster) continues like he’s doing, I think he’s going to play for us this year and help us down the line. Once the pads come on, we’ll see how they stack up.’’

Nation will likely need some time to overcome the growing pains of moving up from high school to Big Ten Conference football.

“He’s coming along fine and growing in the playbook,’’ Ward said. “He’s having those little freshman mistakes. I’m pleased with his effort, but we have to get him going.’’

Foster just wants his career to get going. Surprisingly, he will give it another shot at Illinois.

John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.