Four-star Texas transfer Terrance Brooks, who committed to Illinois last week, already was drawn to Illinois because of Aaron Henry. After all, Henry — who was promoted to Illini defensive coordinator last season after two years as defensive backs coach — was key in developing Devon Witherspoon, the highest-drafted cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft (No. 5 overall) and a Pro Bowl pick as a rookie.
But now, Brooks will also be mentored by Corey Parker, who at Toledo developed the highest-drafted cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft: Quinyon Mitchell (No. 22 overall).
“He had an open heart and an open mind and willing to learn,” Parker said of Mitchell’s development. “But he also ran 23 miles per hou … and that helps him out a little bit too.”
Brooks started 16 games at Texas, including a College Football Playoff semifinal game last season. But the former top-100 prep prospect committed to transfer to Illinois — over Michigan and USC — to get even more out of his obvious talent.
Illinois hopes the pairing of Parker and Brooks, a likely starter, helps elevate an Illini secondary that struggled mightily last season following the departures of three top-70 draft picks — Witherspoon, nickel Quan Martin and safety Sydney Brown — and then lost two cornerbacks who started games last season to the transfer portal: Tahveon Nicholson (Louisville) and Zachary Tobe (Georgia Tech).
Brooks’ father, Chet — a former All-American defensive back at Texas A&M and a two-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers — said Terrance is excited to play in the Illini’s man-heavy press coverage following two seasons in a zone-heavy Texas defense.
