Joey Hiner brings mass, experience, and trench pop to Eastern Illinois
In the 2026 season, Joey Hiner is a 6-foot-0, 290-pound junior defensive lineman for Eastern Illinois who gives the Panthers a sturdy interior presence and a power-first frame that can clog gaps and anchor against the run.[1][5][10] The standout context: he’s listed as an active roster player after joining EIU from Central Michigan, and his background suggests a developmental transfer who can fit a physical, rotational DL role rather than a pure splash-stat profile.[5][10][11]
