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CHAMPAIGN – On paper, Illinois football’s defense looks pretty darn good. The Illini return nine defensive starters from a 10-win 2024 campaign, led by two Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten First Team selections – OLB Gabe Jacas and DB Xavier Scott – and two more preseason All-Big Ten selections: LB Dylan Rosiek (Third Team) and DB Matthew Bailey (Fourth Team).
The Illini are also very experienced with all but one potential starter, junior cornerback Jaheim Clarke, with at least four years of college experience. The Illini also have more depth than they’ve had under Bret Bielema with several potential non-starters more than capable of playing starting roles, particularly at linebacker (Malachi Hood or Kenenna Odeluga), cornerback (one of Clarke, Kaleb Patterson or Torrie Cox Jr.) and safety (Mac Resetich).
The metrics back up high expectations for the Illini with ESPN’s S&P+ model projecting Illinois to have the No. 20 defense in the country, up from an actual No. 26 finish in the metric last season and No. 45 in the category in 2023.
Entering his third year as defensive coordinator, Aaron Henry is looking for his defense to ascend further.
“I thought we did some good things [last season], and I felt like we left some meat on the bone in some situations,” Henry said. “Year Three for me is about straight dominance: scrimmage, practice, walkthroughs, meetings, opponent. We want to dominate. We want to leave no stone unturned. We want to truly dominate, and it starts with me as a coach. It permeates into our players.”
The Illini defense has great potential, but to be dominant, it has to take steps forward. Here are three particular areas it must improve.