Aaron Henry’s defense didn’t exactly start the 2025 season on a high note - giving up 42 points in a lopsided loss at Washington raised more than a few eyebrows. But credit where it’s due: the Illinois defensive coordinator orchestrated a serious turnaround down the stretch.
Over the final five games, the Illini defense tightened up, allowing just 17.4 points per contest. And that number doesn’t even get a boost from special teams - which, frankly, didn’t do them many favors.
That late-season surge helped Illinois win four of its last five games, capped by a gritty 30-28 Music City Bowl win over Tennessee, where the defense held the high-powered Vols to a season-low 278 yards.
That kind of finish gives Henry plenty of momentum heading into his fourth season calling plays in Champaign. And the good news hasn’t stopped with the final whistle of the bowl game.
Earlier this month, standout safety Matthew Bailey - after a season hampered by injuries - announced he’s putting off the NFL for one more year in orange and blue. That alone was a big win for Henry.
Now, the Illini are doubling down on that defensive boost. On Thursday, Xavier Scott announced he’ll also be back for a fifth and final season after missing most of the year with a lower-leg injury. That’s two key veterans returning to a unit that found its rhythm late and now has a chance to build on that foundation in 2026.
Scott’s absence was felt in a big way. He went down in the fourth quarter of Illinois’ nonconference finale against Western Michigan - just three games into the season - and didn’t return.
Losing a player of his caliber that early is tough for any defense, and it forced freshman Tanner Heckel into action sooner than expected. But even with that hit to the secondary, Illinois still managed to go 9-4, proving this group had more resilience than many expected.
Now, with Scott back in the fold alongside Bailey, Henry’s defense gets an infusion of experience, leadership, and playmaking ability. It’s a huge lift for a program that’s clearly trending in the right direction. What started as a season with more questions than answers on defense ended with a statement - and with two of its best defenders returning, Illinois might just be getting started.