2026 Big 10 Fall Camp Report: What We Know Right Now
Kevin looks at the camp reports for the Big 10.
Fall camp is underway across the Big Ten, and we’re finally starting to get some real answers after an offseason full of depth-chart projections, breakout picks, and speculation.
This series is going conference by conference, one per day, breaking down what we know right now from fall camp. We’ll hit every team in the Power Four and focus on the information that actually matters for College Fantasy Football, Devy, and dynasty managers.
The goal isn’t to react to every positive quote or camp highlight. August is full of hype. Instead, we’re looking for things that can actually change player values: quarterback battles, first-team reps, running back rotations, emerging target leaders, freshmen pushing for real roles, injuries, and players who are consistently being mentioned by coaches and beat reporters.
For each team, I’ll keep it tight and focus on the biggest storylines coming out of camp so far. Some situations are already starting to become clear. Others are probably going to take another scrimmage or two before we know what we’re dealing with.
Today, we move to the Big Ten.
Let’s get into it.
BIG TEN
Illinois
Illinois has one of the more interesting offensive transitions in the Big Ten with Katin Houser taking over at quarterback, but the early reports have been encouraging. Collin Dixon said there has been “no drop-off” from Luke Altmyer and praised Houser’s command and competitiveness. That is probably the biggest thing I wanted to hear with this offense. Illinois still has enough experience around him that Houser does not need to completely carry the unit. If he can keep the passing game stable, there should still be plenty of fantasy production available.
The receiver room has a lot of moving parts. Dixon is the safest returning option after catching 35 passes for 548 yards and five touchdowns, while Hudson Clement finished last season much stronger than he started. Clement has missed time early in camp with an injury but is expected back, and his position coach has been very complimentary of how comfortable he looks in the offense. FAU transfer Jayshon Platt has generated buzz since the spring, Alex Perry gives them size outside, and Brayden Trimble should work his way into the rotation. There is opportunity here, but I am not sure we have a clear WR1 yet.
The young receivers are also worth tracking. Nas Rankin has the recruiting profile but is still catching up after missing spring, while Nate Cichy has been one of the more surprising camp names. Bret Bielema called Cichy “a very impressive player,” and he has taken advantage of extra reps while several receivers have been limited. Kenyon Alston remains another talented freshman, and Jacob Eberhart has now moved from safety to receiver. Illinois is clearly trying to figure out which of these young players can help immediately.
The biggest fantasy takeaway for me is Ca’Lil Valentine. Kaden Feagin’s move to tight end clears up 122 carries from last season, and while all of those touches will not automatically go to Valentine, he should be the biggest beneficiary. Valentine already led Illinois with 131 carries last year and rushed for 614 yards while showing more physicality as the season went along. The program has also marketed him heavily this offseason, and everything points toward him getting the type of workload we have not seen from an Illinois back since Chase Brown. Aidan Laughery will absolutely be involved, and Jordan Anderson gives them a short-yardage option, but Valentine looks like the back I want.
Behind them, the freshmen are interesting for the future. Nelsyn Wheeler has the early advantage because he has been in the program since the spring, but Javari Barnett is the player whose physical traits really jump out. Barnett arrived with a hamstring issue and still hit 20.5 mph at 235 pounds. Tyrone Wheatley has been careful not to oversell him, but he also made it clear that Barnett has the traits to eventually become a major player. This may be more of a 2027 storyline, but he is absolutely a name to stash away.
Feagin’s move from running back to tight end might be the most unique storyline on the roster. He already has 1,592 career yards from scrimmage and has shown he can be dangerous catching the football. The entire question is whether he can hold up as a blocker well enough to earn consistent snaps. Barry Lunney Jr. has been pleased with his development, and if Feagin gets comfortable with the physical side of the position, Illinois suddenly has a 6-foot-3, 260-pound tight end who already knows what to do with the football in his hands.
For fantasy, Valentine is probably the player I am most interested in right now. Houser looks capable of keeping the offense functional, Dixon and Clement give him experienced targets, and Feagin is the wild card at tight end. Cichy is my under-the-radar freshman to monitor, while Barnett is more of a long-term Devy name. Illinois may not have the star power of some other Big Ten offenses, but Valentine getting a true lead-back workload could give us a very useful CFF asset.
Indiana
Indiana is one of the more interesting teams in the Big Ten because Josh Hoover is taking over an offense that has been very productive the last two years, and everything coming out of camp has been positive so far. The TCU transfer looks more comfortable than he did in the spring, and his teammates have consistently praised the work he is putting in behind the scenes. Charlie Becker talked about Hoover constantly reaching out to receivers to get extra throws in and build chemistry. That is exactly what you want to hear from a transfer quarterback stepping into a new system. The talent has never really been the question with Hoover. If the timing and command continue to come along, this offense should be in good shape.
The receiver room gives him plenty to work with. Nick Marsh looks like the headliner and continues to stand out physically. He has the build and skill set of a true boundary WR1 and looks poised for a big season. Behind him, Davion Chandler appears to be settling into the slot, with LeBron Bond and Shazz Preston working outside. That gives Indiana a pretty clear early structure at the top of the depth chart. Marsh is the obvious fantasy name here, but Chandler could be useful if he locks down consistent volume inside.
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