Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

247Sports college basketball writer Isaac Trotter chats with Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner about the top storylines for the start of Illinois basketball's fall practice. The guys discuss the impact of Andrej Stojakovic's knee injury, Mihailo Petrovic's acclimation, the battle for playing time in the frontcourt, potential defensive changes, expectations for freshman Keaton Wagler and more. Follow...

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss Illinois football's disheartening 63-10 loss at Indiana. Leman breaks down the Illini's protection issues, attrition in the secondary and how the team bounces back from an embarrassing loss. The guys then look ahead to Saturday's homecoming game against No. 21 USC and the keys for Illini to not let one loss derail the...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's embarrassing 63-10 loss at No. 19 Indiana. The guys discuss how the game went so wrong and how the Illini, including Bret Bielema, react to it with No. 25 USC coming to Champaign next weekend. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other: https://bit.ly/3...

Jeremy Werner previews No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana with Peegs.com's Matthew Weaver and Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner. Weaver discusses the Hoosiers' rise under Curt Cignetti, the impact of transfer QB Fernando Mendoza, the matchup with Illinois and what this game means for IU. Wagner and Werner then discuss the Illini angles of this game, including Xavier Scott's injury, and make their picks...

Illinois chief development officer Howard Milton joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss the process of securing a $100 million gift from Larry Gies for the football program, the impact on the athletics program and the hope for Memorial Stadium upgrades. Kyle Tausk then joins Werner to discuss Illinois basketball's latest recruiting efforts, including 2026 official visitors Cameron Holmes...

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to break down Illinois football's 38-0 win over Indiana. Leman discusses a strong shutout effort by the defense, another slow start by the offense and a dominant second half. Leman then previews Saturday's top-25 matchup at Indiana and discusses UCLA's coaching change. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple....

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 38-0 win over Western Michigan. The guys discuss another slow start, another dominant second half, standout performances and next week's top-25 matchup at Indiana. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple:  https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other:  https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just $...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Larry Gies' $100 million donation to Illini athletics and changing the stadium name to Gies Memorial Stadium. The guys then preview No. 9 Illinois vs. Western Michigan with a six-pack of questions focusing on what they've learned through two games and the keys vs. the Broncos to wrap up nonconference play. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast o...

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to react to Illinois football's 45-19 win at Duke. Leman breaks down how the game was another sign of growth for Bret Bielema's program, how the defensive game plan and execution succeeded against a potent Duke offense, the key halftime offensive adjustments made by Illinois and some star performances. Leman then looks ahead to...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the positives and negatives from Illinois football's 45-19 win at Duke. The guys discuss some first-half struggles, second-half dominance and some standout performances and key parts of the game. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct    Go VI...

The Devils Den's Adam Rowe joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to give insight on Illinois football's Week 2 opponent Duke, the program under Manny Diaz, highly-touted transfer QB Darian Mensah and what the game vs. No. 11 Illinois means for the Blue Devils. Then Werner and Joey Wagner preview the Illinois side of game with their thoughts on the matchup, keys to the game, picks to click and bold...

247Sports national college basketball writer Isaac Trotter joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss Illinois basketball fall workouts, Mihailo Petrovic's arrival and Andrej Stojakovic's knee sprain. Then Trotter breaks down the five toughest opponents on a loaded Illinois basketball 2025-26 schedule. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://sp...

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to react to Illinois football's win over Western Illinois. Leman breaks down what stood out about the Illini offense and defense and which players caught his eye. He then previews the Illini's trip to Duke and discusses how Illinois can contain QB Darian Mensah and approach Manny Diaz's attacking defense. Follow the Illini Inqui...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 52-3 season-opening win over Western Illinois and provide the biggest hits and misses from the game. The guys then look ahead to next week's game at Duke. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct    Go VIP for just $1:  http://...

Legendary News-Gazette reporter/columnist Loren Tate joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss his 59th season covering Illinois football. He discusses why he's continued covering the team into his 90s, his perspective on the hype around this football season, his expectations for the 2025 Illini, his thoughts on the 2025-26 Illini basketball roster and the future of college athletics. Then...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner recap training camp with things they feel better about, things they're still concerned about and most interesting players. Then the guys make their bold predictions for the 2025 Illinois football season. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct    Go VIP f...

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to kick off the 2025 Illinois football season. Leman discusses what he wants to see from Illinois in Friday's opener against Western Illinois and then breaks down each position group on the team and the next steps for offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast...

Big Ten Network's Yogi Roth joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss his thoughts on Illinois after visiting practice last week. Roth goes in-depth on the operation, QB Luke Altmyer, the wide receiver options, the offensive line and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. Werner then chats with the newest addition to Illini Inquirer: Kyle Tausk! Kyle discusses his journey into journalism an...

247Sports national basketball director Eric Bossi joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss Illinois basketball recruiting. Bossi discusses the Illini's two 2026 commits, Ethan Brown and Landon Davis, as well as several other 2026 targets, including Quentin Coleman, Alex Constanza, Cameron Holmes and Jasiah Jervis. Bossi then hits on 247Sports' process of building international rankings and...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss the latest from Illini football training camp and the release of the Illini basketball nonconference schedule. The guys then choose their "Sign Guys" for the 2025 Illinois football season, players they're particularly excited about or buying into for now and the future. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Sp...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois football's defensive backs and special teams for the 2025 season. The guys discuss whether the secondary is the Illini's strongest position group, how the cornerback rotation will look and some potential breakthrough underclassmen. The guys then discuss the special teams unit, the impact of Purdue transfer punter Keelan Crimmins, kic...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois football's outside linebackers and linebackers for the 2025 season. The guys discuss how Gabe Jacas can take another step as a pass rusher, who will win the other starting OLB job and depth at the position. The guys then discuss the impact of LB Dylan Rosiek's return, who will win the other starting spot and an X-factor or two in the...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview the Illinois offensive and defensive lines for the 2025 season. The guys discuss the level of concern about training camp injuries and depth on the offensive line, a battle at right guard and the next step with five returning offensive line starters. The guys then discuss a new-look defensive line, how transfers impact both nose tackle and th...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois football's wide receivers and tight ends for the 2025 season. The guys the intense competition at WRs, including returners Collin Dixon, Hank Beatty and Malik Elzy and newcomers Hudson Clement, Justin Bowick and Brayden Trimble. The guys then discuss a new-look tight end room and the impact of healthy Cole Rusk and transfers Davin St...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois football's quarterbacks and running backs for the 2025 season. The guys discuss QB Luke Altmyer's next steps, the backup battle and long-term outlook at the position. The guys then discuss the potential of healthy RBs Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin, the importance of Ca'Lil Valentine's next step and the depth at the position. Follow...