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Projected 2024 Illinois football defensive depth chart

While the Illinois football offense needs to score points, the Illini defense needs to prevent them. That is what I am hoping happens with the 2024 defensive unit.

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Kenenna Odeluga (39) tackles Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Xavier Trueblood (97)during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Kenenna Odeluga (39) tackles Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Xavier Trueblood (97)during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports / Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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Cornerbacks

Starter: Terrance Brooks

Coming into the offseason, Illinois needed to focus on adding talent in the secondary. Bret Bielema and the coaching staff knocked it out of the park. One of the best transfer portal additions by any team was Terrance Brooks.

Brooks transferred into the Illinois program from Texas. He was originally a four-star recruit and then saw decent time with the Longhorns. In two seasons, Brooks started 16 games and had a combined 29 tackles, nine pass deflections, and three interceptions. He was also an honorable mention All-Big 12 last season.

Without a doubt, Brooks is starting at cornerback for the Illini. He has a chance to be a special cornerback and make an All-Big Ten team as a junior. This could be a great two-year stretch for the Illinois secondary.

Starter: Torrie Cox Jr.

Illinois has a handful of cornerbacks who have a ton of experience. Brooks played 589 snaps last season, and I think alongside Brooks, Illinois will start Torrie Cox Jr.

Cox was another transfer portal get, but he came from the MAC where he played well for Ohio. With the Bobcats, Cox logged 483 snaps last season and over the past two seasons combined for 88 tackles, 7.0 pass deflections, 4.0 interceptions, 3.0 forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks.

This was a tough one because Illinois has another good option at cornerback, but Cox has a lot of experience and played well last season. The Illini coaching staff has a game plan, I think it involves Brooks and Cox starting in 2024.

Nickel Starter: Xavier Scott

Another great starting option for the Illinois football program is Xavier Scott. He was a big part of the Illinois secondary in 2023, and he will continue to be that big-time player for the Illini this season.

Scott played 788 snaps last season and finished with 57 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions. He was arguably our best defensive back, and I think he is going to continue that dominance in 2024.

I have Scott starting when Illinois goes with a nickel defense. When we go with a regular 3-4 defense, I see him rotating in and out with both Brooks and Cox. Scott is a special weapon for the Illini, and I can’t wait to see these three play in the secondary.

Backups

Much like the interior linebackers, the Illinois cornerbacks lack experience when it comes to second and third string.

The biggest rotational piece for the Illini should be Tyler Strain. He was a nice defensive back last season, and I fully expect him to see another big snap load in 2024. Strain at least gives Illinois some quality depth at cornerback.

Behind Strain, we get thin. I think Kaleb Patterson and Jaheim Clark will have a chance to make an impact. There could be a smattering of Chase Canada and Vernon Woodward II as well.

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