Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the 2021 Illinois football tight end group. The guys discuss why the position likely will be used more by the new Illini staff and why the staff should like whom it inherits at the position. The guys discuss why Daniel Barker shouldn't be overlooked and whether or not Luke Ford will truly break out. Then the guys discuss a few potential im...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss expectations for a revamped Illinois football wide receiver room. The guys discuss what Brian Hightower and Donny Navarro bring as veterans, how Casey Washington's return from the transfer portal improves the group and what Notre Dame transfer Jafar Armstrong adds to the mix. Then the guys dive into what to expect from converted quarterback a...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the 2021 Illinois football running back room, potentially the strongest position group on the team. The guys discuss Chase Brown's breakout 2020 season and what could be in store for the All-Big Ten back in 2021. The guys also discuss what transfer Chase Hayden brings to the Illini backfield, how much growth Reggie Love could make in his s...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the 2021 Illinois football quarterback room. The guys break down what the new Illini staff must see from incumbent starter Brandon Peters and how he fits with Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Tony Petersen. The guys then discuss what Rutgers transfer Artur Sitkowski brings to the QB room both in the short-term and long-term. Then the...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss what they've gathered from Illinois football's first week of training camp. The guys discuss training camp battles, lingering questions about scheme, Bret Bielema's secrecy and some names that stand out. The guys then discuss one big-picture issue with this team and then answer a few VIP member questions.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and former Illinois guard Mike LaTulip discuss Ayo Dosunmu going No. 38 overall in the NBA Draft to his hometown Chicago Bulls. The guys discuss why Dosunmu slid out of the first round and how he fits with the Bulls current roster. Then the guys discuss their favorite picks of the draft and the Russell Westbrook to the Lakers trade.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss a busy time for Illinois basketball. They start off discussing their impressions from new Illini assistant Tim Anderson's Zoom press conference and what he'll bring to the staff. Piper then breaks down his observations from the summer AAU circuit, including Jayden Epps, Jaden Schutt, Cam Whitmore, Braden Huff and more. Then the guys break dow...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with 247Sports' Chris Hummer about the impact of Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 has on college football, including the Big Ten. The guys discuss why Texas and Oklahoma are leaving and how it directly impacts the SEC and Big 12. Then the guys chat about what it means for the other power-five conferences and how they should approach expansion, especially...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss big changes for college football, potentially the Big Ten and Illinois basketball. The guys start by chatting about Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12, likely for the SEC, and what that means for the Big Ten, including who they possibly could pursue in expansion. Then Joey shares his Bobby Roundtree story, and the guys discuss the former I...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with House of 'Paign GM/coach Mike LaTulip to preview the 2021 TBT Illinois Regional. LaTulip discusses the process of putting the team together and getting them ready for Saturday's first-round game. He also breaks down Andrés Feliz's status before breaking down the team's talented backcourt, including Illini greats Demetri McCamey, Brandon Paul and Rayvonte...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Ryan Easterling break down the impact of Illinois football landing a commitment from top-500 prospect Shawn Miller. The guys discuss how Bret Bielema, George McDonald and the rest of the staff have quickly revamped the Illini wide receivers room and what Miller adds to it. Then Ryan weighs in on Illinois landing three-star Gibson City running back Aidan Laughery...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Kofi Cockburn's return to Illinois for a junior season. The guys break down how he impacts both the short- and long-term of Brad Underwood's program, why he decided to return to Illinois, all the twists and turns of his decision-making process, what the Illini rotation will look like and how it stacks up with the other top Big Ten teams.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down what three-star running back Aidan Laughery's commitment means for Illinois, including in-state recruiting efforts, Bret Bielema's win over his alma mater (Iowa), what Laughery brings to the running back room and more. Then the guys chat about Kofi Cockburn's upcoming decision, including Kentucky reportedly being out of the recruitment, Fl...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss top-100 guard Jayden Epps' commitment to Illinois, including how Chester Frazier and Brad Underwood landed him, why he was a top priority and how he fits. Then the guys talk about Kofi Cockburn's upcoming decision.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner has a long chat with Illinois punter Blake Hayes. The Australia native discusses his charitable cause, his long-awaited reunion with family, why he returned for his super senior season, Bret Bielema's coaching staff, 28-year-old Australian backup punter Hugh Robertson and much more. To donate to Connor's Run, visit this link.

At long last, Illinois basketball announced its third assistant basketball coach: former DePaul assistant and Chicago native Tim Anderson. Jeremy Werner breaks down Anderson's DePaul background with WeAreDePaul.com's Steve Newhouse before breaking down how Anderson fits Brad Underwood's revamped Illini staff with Derek Piper, including what Anderson brings as a recruiter and as an assistant. Piper...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss the news that Kofi Cockburn is withdrawing from the NBA Draft but will remain in the transfer portal. The guys break down what this means for Illinois basketball's chances of keeping the All-American, Kentucky being a "serious option" for Cockburn and weighing the pros and cons of Cockburn's options. Then the guys discuss Marquette transfer D...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss a significantly important month ahead for Illinois basketball. The guys discusses the Illini's latest 2022 commitment, Sencire Harris, and how the four-star guard fits wha the Illini want in the backcourt. Then the guys chat about other top 2022 targets, including Jayden Epps, Cameron Corhen and Braden Huff. The guys then break down what's go...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Ryan Easterling discuss Illinois football's two latest commitments and a couple tough misses over the holiday weekend. The guys start by discussing what three-star New Jersey OL Matt Fries and three-star Illinois OLB Jared Badie add to the program and Class of 2022. Then the guys discuss the impact of missing out on four-star Illinois DB Austin Brown and three-s...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner, Derek Piper and Joey Wagner discuss Kofi Cockburn entering the transfer portal and what it means for Illinois basketball. The guys break down why Cockburn would enter the portal, his options and if it really makes sense for him to play college basketball elsewhere. Then the guys talk about the Illini's pursuit of Marquette star transfer Dawson Garcia, their competi...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss how the new era of NIL, which starts Thursday, will impact Illini and NCAA athletics. The guys discuss the background of name, image and likeness and why it is being implemented now. Then the guys discuss how it will be employed and how Illinois is embracing it before discusses the benefits and potential downsides of the new policy.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner discusses a wave of six transfers out of the Illini program and the impact of the departures of OL Brevyn Jones, OL Blaise Sparks, WR James Frenchie, RB/WR Kyron Cumby, DL Tre'von Riggins and DL Anthony Shipton. He discusses why this would happen now and how it impacts the 2021 season (if at all) and future roster construction for first-year coach Bret Bielema.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Ryan Easterling discuss Illinois football's first month of in-person recruiting efforts. The guys break down the Illini's aggressive strategy with official visits and the early results. The guys then break down what's next, including decision for top Illini priorities, including Austin Brown, Jacob Bostick, Aidan Laughery, Jared Badie, Shawn Miller and many more...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss the Illinois basketball staff finally getting back on the recruiting trail. Piper discusses the prospect who impressed him most over the weekend, a slate of new offers and some new in-state targets, and he also discusses a new-look staff's approach and the latest on when a third assistant could be hired. The guys also discuss the finality of...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down Illinois AD Josh Whitman's two-hour, detailed 2021 media roundtable address. The guys break down Whitman's discussions about how the Illini were impacted by COVID, the future of the hockey project, huge changes happening for college athletics, gambling, basketball's offseason, Bret Bielema's first six months on the job and women's basketba...