Illinois Football Staff Has an Elite DB Sell

Illinois Football Staff Has an Elite DB Sell

The Illinois Football program has produced some high-level NFL talent in the secondary positions in recent history. Of course, under the guidance of head coach Bret Bielema, and former assistant coach, turned Defensive Coordinator Aaron Henry.

Current offensive analyst, and former Notre Dame DB Houston Griffith, son of Illini legend Howard Griffith, put a special message out for recruits potentially looking to attend Illinois. Following Monday’s hiring of Toledo DB coach Corey Parker, Griffith took to social media (X), boasting about the experience that now leads Illinois secondary room. Houston refers to the fact that Aaron Henry and Corey Parker were both able to coach the first corners off the board in the 2023 Draft, as well as the 2024 draft.

2023: Devon Witherspoon Illinois (Henry) 

2024: Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo (Parker) 

Calling all DBs! We have two Illini staff members that have coached the first DB off the board in ‘23 and ‘24. 🌟Women Lie, Men Lie, but numbers don’t! #ILL #famILLy https://t.co/saqb2Kc4le

— Houston Griffith (@CoachGriffith3) May 13, 2024

The proof is in the pudding

Illinois Football already has a number of defensive backs in the NFL. All of these players were very recently at the University of Illinois and a majority have played for Bret Bielema and Aaron Henry. Kerby Joseph, Tony Adams, Devon Witherspoon, Sydney Brown, and Quan Martin all played for Bielema and Henry. The only DB in the NFL from Illinois who did not is current Las Vegas Raiders DB, Nate Hobbs. Corey Parker adds to the bunch after he helped solidify Toledo DB, Quinyon Mitchell, as a first-round draft pick. Mitchell found himself drafted no. 22 overall, to the Philadelphia Eagles after a stellar All-American season with the Rockets.

New Illini DB Coach Corey Parker

Thank you for reading Armchair Illini. For more Illinois Athletics and Big Ten content from Armchair Illini, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at [email protected]. Please use our Seatgeek code for $20 off your purchase on Seatgeek.com: ARMCHAIRILLINOIS. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing Illinois media outlets around!