# Ep. 1215 - J Leman previews Illini's opener vs. UAB

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/illini-inquirer-podcast-an-illinois-fighting-illini-athletics-podcast-1047532/ep-1215-j-leman-previews-illini-s-opener-vs-uab
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/illini-inquirer-podcast-an-illinois-fighting-illini-athletics-podcast-1047532/ep-1215-j-leman-previews-illini-s-opener-vs-uab.md
Podcast: [Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/illini-inquirer-podcast-an-illinois-fighting-illini-athletics-podcast-1047532)
Published: 2026-08-31T14:16:46+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/serve.castfire.com/audio/8610844/8610844_2026-08-24-174944.192.mp3?rssID=6019
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/serve.castfire.com/audio/8610844/8610844_2026-08-24-174944.192.mp3?rssID=6019
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Duration seconds: 2443

## Resource

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to preview Thursday's Illinois football season opener against UAB. Leman breaks down what Game One is like for players, the excitement level around Illinois football's 2026 season, what would make for a successful first game, what he expects to see from Bobby Hauck's defense and players he's higher on than the consensus. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8   Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct    Go VIP for 60% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz   (0:00) - Intro (1:30) - What Week One is like for a player (3:30) - Excitement level for 2026 season (5:04) - Bobby Hauck's defense debuts (9:45) - Key for Illini linebackers in this defense (16:00) - How Illini overcome WR injuries (21:04) - What a success looks like for Katin Houser (26:27) - Keys for new-look Illini offensive line (28:20) - Players J Leman is higher on this season (31:25) - Impact of Xavier Scott's return

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## Transcript

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