Three most important players for IU football vs. Illinois

Previous Episode: Tom Allen, Walt Bell discuss IU football's offense for 2022

Next Episode: Previewing the Illinois ahead of Friday's IU football opener

If the Indiana Hoosiers football team is to open the season with a win on Friday against the Illinois Fighting Illini, a number of players are going to need to step up. With that in mind, who are the three most important Hoosiers ahead of the season opener?

On today's episode of Locked on Hoosiers, Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) answers that question, beginning with one of the only proven commodities in the receiving core with D.J. Matthews. If he is recovered from his knee injury, he could be exactly what the IU offense needs.

On the defensive side of the ball, Cam Jones could be the solution to filling the hole left by Micah McFadden. While a number of other players have been mentioned to directly fill McFadden's vacancy, Jones could be the guy to shoulder the responsibility of the intangibles as a leader this season.

The show wraps by looking at the offensive line, which will have plenty of focus on them this season after a putrid 2021 campaign. There are a number of individuals that could be singled out, but the unit as a whole must step up.

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Three most important players for IU football vs. Illinois

Locked On Hoosiers - Daily Podcast On Indiana Hoosiers Football & Basketball