UHND.com - Notre Dame Football, Basketball, & Recruiting

From the Illinois football website.

Henry became defensive coordinator after leading one of the nation’s best defensive backs units in his first two seasons in Champaign. His time as defensive backs coach was highlighted by earning the 2022 FootballScoop Defensive Backs Coach of the Year award.

Henry's defensive backs unit was the best in the nation against the pass in 2022, as Illinois led the nation in scoring defense (12.8), interceptions (24), takeaways (32), and passing efficiency defense (92.64). The Illini's pass efficiency defense of 92.64 was more than 10 points better than the next-best defense (Penn State, 103.24), nearly 40 points better than the median pass defense, and trailed only 2013 Michigan State (92.28) for the best in the last decade. Illinois also ranked second in the nation in fewest passing touchdowns allowed (9), second in fewest yards per passing attempt (5.4), eighth in fewest passing yards allowed per game (173.8), as well as seventh in fewest first downs allowed (199), ninth in third down defense (30.1%), and 10th in rushing defense (99.8).

Henry was instrumental in the rise of CB Devon Witherspoon, as the shutdown corner went from relatively unknown to the highest-drafted defensive back in Illinois history in a two-year span. Witherspoon had started 10 games in his first two seasons in Champaign prior to Henry's arrival, then jumped to an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in 2021 before becoming Illinois' first-ever Consensus All-American defensive back in 2022. Witherspoon was named the Big Ten's Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year and one of three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, prior to being selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

After the success of the 2022 season, Illinois had one of its most impressive NFL Drafts in recent history. Witherspoon went No. 5 overall to become the highest-drafted defensive back in Illinois history, and fellow DBs Jartavius Martin and Sydney Brown went in the second and third rounds, respectively. The Illini were the only team in the nation to have three defensive backs off the board in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. Witherspoon earned a spot in the NFL's Pro Bowl during his rookie season, joining Dick Butkus as the only Illini in history to earn Consensus All-American, become a first-round pick, and earn a spot in the Pro Bowl in a two-year span.

(no message)

(no message)

(no message)

(no message)

It's actually pretty cool to do the Tomahawk Chop

(no message)

(no message)

(no message)

(no message)