Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

All-American linebacker and BTN analyst J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss the 2024 Illinois football season. Leman discusses his biggest concerns and reasons for optimism. He also discusses what Illinois needs out of Luke Altmyer in his second season and Aaron Henry beginning his second year as defensive coordinator and more! Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: htt...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview the 2024 Illinois football linebackers and defensive backs. The guys discuss how experience can help returning linebacker starters Dylan Rosiek and Kenenna Odeluga and if James Kreutz is ready to break out. The guys then discuss the impacts of transfers Terrance Brooks and Torrie Cox Jr. on the cornerback group, the next steps for Xavier Scot...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview the 2024 Illinois football defensive line and outside linebackers. The guys discuss if Illinois added enough in the offseason to replace Johnny Newton and two other NFL players through the transfer portal and discuss a big X-factor in the group and expectations for the d-line. The guys then discuss whether outside linebackers Seth Coleman and...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview the 2024 Illinois offensive line and special teams unit. The guys discuss whether the Illini did enough to fix their OL issues from a year ago through the transfer portal, an X-factor up front, the depth chart and expectations for Bart Miller's group. Then the guys discuss whether David Olano can continue the Illini's kicker success, whether...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the Illini tight end and wide receiver groups for the 2024 season. The guys discuss the impact of four-star transfer Cole Rusk's season-ending knee injury on the tight ends and whether Tanner Arkin, Henry Boyer and Carson Goda can form a productive group. The guys then discuss the long-term options at the position. Werner and Wagner then t...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the Illini quarterbacks and running backs for the 2024 season. At quarterback, the guys discuss the next steps for second-year starter Luke Altmyer, Donovan Leary elevating to the backup role and the long-term at the position and expectations for the 2024 season. Switching to running backs, the guys discuss the potential of Kaden Feagin an...

Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper and Jeremy Werner discuss Kasparas Jakucionis' continued star play internationally. The guys discuss what they saw from the freshman guard at FIBA's U18 Eurobasket and their expectations for him with Illinois this upcoming season. Piper then breaks down the latest in Class of 2025 recruiting, including Spencer Ahrens' official visit, guard Brandon Lee, some five-star...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down some of the most intriguing players of 2024 Illini training camp. The guys discuss some guys who will be counted on to be stars, some players who are stepping into far bigger roles, some players who are competing for spots in the rotation and two-deep and players who could be more long-term impact players. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcas...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner answer listener-submitted questions about Illinois football training camp, including position battles, reasons for optimism and concern, big games on the schedule and more. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct    Go VIP for 30% OFF:  bit.ly/3eGM1NK  

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner to discuss the offseason and preview the start of training camp. Bielema discusses the next steps for the offense and defense, players fans should know about, position battles he's excited to watch and how rule changes impact the game. Werner and Wagner then react to Bielema's thoughts and discuss what they...

Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper joins Jeremy Werner to give his top takeaways from Peach Jam, including the Illini's pursuit of five-star guard Cayden Boozer, not making Jasper Johnson's top-five and other emerging prep targets. Piper and Werner then project the 2024-25 stat leaders for the Illini basketball team, including minutes, points, free-throw makes, three-point makes, rebounds, blocks, stea...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner chat with Illinois AD Josh Whitman and Illinois players Gabe Jacas, Seth Coleman and Gabe Jacas at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis. Illini outside linebackers Gabe Jacas and Seth Coleman chat with Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner at Big Ten Media Days. The guys discuss their elevated roles on the defense, another new position coach,...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner catches up with Dawgman.com's Chris Fetters and Bruin Report Online's David Woods to discuss Washington and UCLA transitioning into the Big Ten. Fetters discusses Washington's big changes with a new athletics director, new football coach and new basketball coach and the expectations of the Huskies in the Big Ten. Woods then breaks down how UCLA joining the Big Ten i...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner catches up with two reporters who cover two new Big Ten programs. Duck Territory's Erik Skopil discusses how Oregon will transition to the Big Ten, what Dan Lanning has brought to the Ducks program, the power of Phil Knight, expectations for the 2024 season and the state of the Oregon basketball program. Then USCFootball.com's Ryan Abraham discusses USC's move to th...

CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to chat about a transformative college football season with the Big Ten and SEC officially expanding and the Pac-12 dead, as well as the start of a 12-team College Football Playoff. Fornelli then gives his thoughts on the 2024 Illini, Bret Bielema's program and reasons for optimism and concern. The guys wrap up with some big storylines...

Illini Inquirer basketball analyst Mike LaTulip and 247Sports college basketball reporter Isaac Trotter join Jeremy Werner to break down the Big Ten basketball offseason and how teams stack up in the conference. The guys discuss who had the best offseason, who had the worst offseason, who is the Big Ten title favorite, who is overrated, who could be a sneaky contender, who is the best player and m...

After an offseason of discussing transfer and prep additions to Illinois football, Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner dive into the returning players who will make the biggest impact on the Illini's 2024 season, including QB Luke Altmyer, RB Kaden Feagin, WR Pat Bryant, OLBs Seth Coleman and Gabe Jacas, LB Dylan Rosiek, DBs Xavier Scott and Matthew Bailey and several more. The guys wr...

Flyin' Illini great Stephen Bardo joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss the Illini basketball offseason, including 10 newcomers, Ty Rodgers' next steps as a player, how they'll play stylistically and Brad Underwood's evolution. Bardo also weighs in on Terrence Shannon Jr. getting selected No. 27 overall in the NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Coleman Hawkins' transfer to Kansas...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner, Joey Wagner and Ryan Easterling discuss the seven commitments Illinois football has added to the Class of 2025 during the last month, including Jershaun Newton. The guys also discuss the toughest misses of the cycle so far, remaining needs and what they think overall of the Illini's recruiting efforts under Bret Bielema. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple...

Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper and Jeremy Werner discuss four-star 2025 guard Jeremiah Fears' decommitment, why it makes sense for Fears and why it makes sense for Illinois and what's next in the Illini's 2025 pursuits. The guys then overanalyze practice video released by Illinois basketball, what excites them the most, what they're skeptical of most and what they next want to see. The guys then di...

Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter Chris Hine joins Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper and Jeremy Werner to discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves drafting Terrence Shannon Jr. with the No. 27 pick, how he fits in with the NBA Finals contender and superstar Anthony Edwards. Then Piper and Werner discuss Shannon's draft-night experience, his legacy at Illinois and future potential first-round draft picks for...

Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper and Jeremy Werner discuss Illinois landing five-star wing Will Riley, what he brings to Illini for the 2024-25 season, how he impacts the rotation projection and what it means for Illinois recruiting moving forward. The guys also draft-rank the newcomers in order of who they're most excited to see during the 2024-25 season. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss their takeaways from Illini AD Josh Whitman's media roundtable, including Terrence Shannon Jr's jersey going in the State Farm Center rafters and an Illini Hoops Thanksgiving day matchup. The guys also discuss the big-picture topics that could greatly impact college athletics and the future of Illini athletics. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podc...

Illini Inquirer basketball analyst Mike LaTulip joins Jeremy Werner to discuss Coleman Hawkins heading to Kansas State, five-star wing Will Riley's upcoming decision, summer workouts for Illinois basketball, Terrence Shannon Jr.'s acquittal and the 2024 NBA Draft. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7C...

247Sports scouting director Adam Finkelstein joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper to discuss five-star wing Will Riley's upcoming decision and his potential college impact next season. Finkelstein also gives his thoughts on Jeremiah Fears and Morez Johnson, the Illini offseason's roster overhaul and Terrence Shannon Jr.'s draft stock following a not-guilty verdict at his trial las...