Bret Bielema praises Illinois secondary, impact of Texas transfer Terrance Brooks

Bret Bielema is a big fan of Illinois’ secondary going into the 2024 season. When speaking at Big Ten Media Days, he relished the opportunity to showcase the Fighting Illini defensive backs coming into the new year.

Despite injuries and guys going to the NFL, Illinois runs back a solid group. It also helps that Texas transfer Terrance Brooks is in the fold.

“Two years ago we had three players drafted in the top three rounds out of the secondary,” Bielema began. “I knew we had some people to replace there. Unfortunately, last year also was hit a little bit by injury. Matt Bailey, who we factored into our playing line-up, literally played one snap of college football last year and had an injury that cost him his entire season. Xavier Scott tore his ACL during the course of the year. Two of our main secondary players, in addition to the three we lost, were lost for the season.

“I was super excited. Miles Scott transitioned from wide receiver to safety. He had a game-changing play in his first game as a starter against Toledo that returned for a pick six. He got better every year. He looks like a DB now. Super excited about Miles Scott and Xavier Scott. On the corner, a guy that hasn’t gotten a lot of outside pub, but a guy that last spring and this winter and this summer has had as good a time is Tyler Strain. He is a guy that has played a lot of football for us. He’s taken a step in the right direction. Super pumped to see exactly where he goes and where he is at.”

Bret Bielema ready for Illinois secondary, Terrance Brooks

Bielema is a big fan of Brooks. Over the course of two seasons at Texas, Brooks had 29 total tackles, 18 solo tackles, three interceptions and nine pass deflections. All three of his picks came last year with increased playing time as a sophomore.

“Then you mentioned Terrance Brooks, a guy that started, I believe, almost 20 games at Texas on a College Football Playoff team. A guy that, when we saw him get in the portal, we contacted. It was really cool. Everybody has recruiting stories. I can literally sit here and go through them all. I remember all these recruiting stories like they’re in my head from yesterday.

“But because he was still involved in classes at Texas, we talked to his dad, Chet, because he didn’t want us bothering him during the finals weeks and whatnot. We literally talked for probably a week or two with just his dad, his mom, without talking to Terrance, just because that’s the way they wanted to get it done, right?”

Bielema recruiting Brooks out of the portal to add to the Illinois secondary ended up being a great story.

“Then I literally was in Orlando at Johnny Newton’s draft party, and we got word of Terrance being in the portal,” Bielema said. “I told Aaron Henry, who was with us who was going to go on and do some other recruiting, I said, Now, you’re hopping on a plane and going to Dallas, and I want you to meet his mom and dad, even if he is not there.

We literally set the precedent there about how much of a priority he was. He’s been a great addition in the locker room. He’s been a guy that’s going to focus on where he is. Also have another guy, Torrie Cox, who has started over 20 games in college football, join us as well. So young players. Mac Resetich, a couple of young corners. Super excited to see that room get to work.”