About this episode

The episode previews Big Ten Media Days and discusses key X-factor players for the Illini football team in the 2026 season.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Big Ten Media Days before diving into the Illini's X-factors for the 2026 season, players who could swing the season one way or the other. The guys discuss some skill players who could emerge as key pieces in Barry Lunney Jr.'s offense, including TE Kaden Feagin and WR Jayshon Platt. Then the guys discuss players who could/need to be answers on a defense with a lot of question marks, including FS Mac Resetich, DL Carter Janki, DB Jakwon Morris 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 just 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz  

People in this episode

Hosts: Jeremy Werner, Joey Wagner

Topics covered

• Illinois football
• X-factor players
• 2026 season
• Big Ten Media Days
• offense
• defense

Keywords

• Illinois Fighting Illini
• football
• X-factors
• Big Ten Media Days
• Barry Lunney Jr.
• defense
• offense

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Illini Inquirer, Barry Lunney Jr., Big Ten

More episodes of Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

• Ep. 1196 - Scott Burgess on Illini's in-state recruiting push · July 20, 2026 · 39 min
• Ep. 1195 - Buy or sell: Illinois basketball 2026-27 · July 17, 2026 · 1h 33m
• Ep. 1194 - Who could be Illini football's breakout stars in 2026? · July 15, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Ep. 1193 - Isaac Trotter's Illini basketball offseason outlook · July 13, 2026 · 51 min
• Ep. 1192 - Biggest positives & question marks from Illini football's summer recruiting · July 10, 2026 · 1h 0m
• Ep. 1191 - Top Illini hoops summer workout storylines · July 9, 2026 · 1h 10m

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