Let's face it, you can't really be a football player if you aren't itching to put some pads on and go out and hit something or somebody. For Illinois defensive back Matthew Bailey, that is what he is looking forward to the most in fall camp after undergoing shoulder surgery before the Music City Bowl in September.
After dealing with a shoulder injury for most of the 2023 season and then having shoulder and hand problems midway through the 2025 season, Bailey is coming into his final year at Illinois ready to go. Being out of spring ball wasn't what Bailey wanted, and while he was happy to help out his teammates, he is ready to get back on the field.
"I'm most looking forward to getting back on that field," Bailey said at Big Ten Media Days. "Not being able to run around in our new defense in the spring was kinda hard. Watching it and coaching the guys up was awesome, but I'm super excited to put the pads on and hit somebody again."
The excitement is real. The hits are coming. pic.twitter.com/yKX36ZlkE5
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) July 29, 2026
Matthew Bailey can be a star in Illinois new defensive scheme under Bobby Hauck
The Illinois defense will have a new look in the 2026 season, now being coached by defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck. The biggest change that Hauck will bring to the Illini will be moving to a 3-3-5 scheme, having three linemen up front, three linebackers in the second level, and five defensive backs.
This is a defensive look that will highlight the leadership of Bailey and Xavier Scott. Bailey has the chance to head to the NFL this offseason, but instead chose to spend his final year of eligibility with the Illini, and if his quote shows anything, it's that he is ready for this change and ready to get back on the field.
A defensive change like this is going to put a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterback, causing confusion in the backfield and forcing him to make quick decisions. Players like Bailey and Scott could be used in a different manner, blitzing off the edge, really keeping the quarterback guessing about what coverage he will face.
It is a good thing that Bailey is ready to get the pads on and hit some people again because he will need to be ready to take out some receivers after the catch. He should be ready to do so after coming off a season with 76 total tackles, 59 solo tackles, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles, all while playing hurt.
If Bailey can find a way to pick off a few passes as well this season, he could really up his draft stock, and Hauck's new defensive scheme could set him up for that. This new Illinois defense will take some getting used to, but if executed right, could be very dangerous in 2026.
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