| Time - Wednesday |
Live Interview |
| 9:15-9:30 a.m. CT |
Sirius XM B1G Radio and ESPNU Radio (Student-Athletes) |
| 10:15-10:30 a.m. CT |
Press Conference on Big Ten Network (Bret Bielema) |
| 12:45-1:00 p.m. CT |
Big Ten Network Studio Set (Bret Bielema) |
| 3:15-3:30 p.m. CT |
Big Ten Network Studio Set (Student-Athletes) |
| 3:15-3:30 p.m. CT |
Sirius XM B1G Radio and ESPNU Radio (Bret Bielema) |
Surrounded by teammates and coaches, senior defensive back Jartavius Martin found out he would be one of Illinois' three player representatives at the annual Big Ten Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
After hearing during a team meeting that he, junior running back Chase Brown and fellow senior defensive back Sydney Brown would be the Illini student athletes present, Martin called his family and some former teammates to share the news. The opportunity to be with his teammates is something he will always be thankful for, Martin says.
"Coach B announced it in the team meeting and I was excited," Martin said. "A lot of guys helped me out to deserve this. It was awesome to see those guys excited for me."
Entering his fifth season with the Illini, Martin totaled 55 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one interception in 2021. With several key starters gone from the last year's team, Martin knows he will take on a larger leadership role this season, and he is grateful that head coach Bret Bielema has already shown confidence in him by allowing him the chance to represent the Illini on this stage.
"It's a big honor," Martin said. "I appreciate Coach B for selecting me to be able to go and represent this football team, not only the team but the university.
"It's important for me to know that I'm a leader on this team, and Coach B thinks that as well, so just, it's an honor, like I said, for me to be able to go out and represent my teammates and this program."
Former Illinois offensive lineman Vederian Lowe, who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, gave the group a shoutout on Twitter after he represented the Illini at Big Ten Media Days last season, calling the opportunity "a great honor."
Martin says former and current teammates have told him what to expect, though he intends to spend time enjoying the moment while also having fun.
"There'll be some moments where it's time to be serious and, and there'll be moments where, you know, it'd be fun to enjoy this moment with my teammates and my coaches," Martin said.
The 2022 Illini roster will look much different than last year, though Martin knows the team will be just as talented, strong and aggressive. After big road wins over No. 7 Penn State and No. 20 Minnesota in the back half of the schedule fueled a strong finish to the season, Martin says the team will continue to take things one game at a time.
"I just want to go out and be the best me every day for my team and put forth my all every time I step on the field," Martin said. "Just do my job every time, and I feel like doing that will lead to those goals and accolades."
Illinois will feature on the second day of Big Ten Media Days. Bielema will open with a press conference at 10:15 a.m. CT on Wednesday. Illini student athletes will speak from 3:15-3:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
The Illini will return to Champaign and begin their first practice on Saturday ahead of the team's season opener on Aug. 27 at Memorial Stadium against Wyoming.
"I'm an older guy going into my fifth year, so it's a lot of guys on the team that's ready to lead, and I feel like I have to take on that role being a fifth-year guy here," Martin said. "I'm just trying to help this team in every aspect and every way to be successful this season."
