CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Cornerback Terrance Brooks signed a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid with the University of Illinois and will join the Fighting Illini program as a transfer, head coach Bret Bielema announced. Brooks comes to Champaign from Texas, where he started 16 career games and was an All-Big XII honorable mention selection last season.Â
"We are excited to bring Terrance to Illinois," said Bielema. "He is an extremely talented player with valuable experiences as an all-conference college football player from a football family. As soon as we got him to campus, we knew we could provide a great match for what Terrance was looking for in a University, football program, and community. We're excited to get him here to join our Illini famILLy."
Brooks started 13 games for Texas last season, helping the Longhorns to a Big XII Championship and appearance in the College Football Playoff. He totaled 20 tackles, six passes defended, and three interceptions on the season, while finishing in the top 20 of Power-5 cornerbacks with a 58.7 passer rating against, according to PFF (min. 500 snaps).
"Thank you to Coach Bielema and Coach Henry for the opportunity to join the Illini famILLy," said Brooks. "I can't wait to get back to Champaign to get to work."
Brooks has a strong football lineage, as his father, Chet, played safety at Texas A&M and for three years in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. Chet was part of two Super Bowl teams in San Francisco.Â
"I think, from a coaching perspective, the Illinois staff fit what Terrance was looking for based off what he has learned in college football," said Chet. "Coach Bielema and Coach Henry have a proven track record of development with trust, truth, and transparency. They have turned no-star guys into NFL players. We're really looking forward to this journey."
2023Â Sophomore - Texas
- Played in all 14 games with 13 starts at cornerback
- All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
- Helped Texas win the Big 12 Championship and advance to the College Football Playoff
- 20 tackles, six passes defended, and three interceptions on the season
- Interceptions against Texas Tech, TCU, and BYU
- Career-high five tackles and tied career high with two pass breakups against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry
- Limited opponents to a 58.7 passer rating while in coverage according to PFF, ranking 17th in the nation among Power-5 cornerbacks with 500+ snaps
- 81.3 tackling grade by PFF was 13th-best in the nation among Power-5 cornerbacks with 500+ snaps
- Played 559 snaps and committed only three penalties
2022Â Freshman - Texas
- Played in nine games with three starts at cornerback as a true freshman
- Nine tackles and three pass breakups on the season
- Career-high two pass breakups against Washington in the Alamo Bowl
High School
- Five-star recruit by On3
- Four-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals
- National ranks: #24 (On3), #58 (Rivals), #81 (247Sports), #156 (ESPN)
- Texas ranks: #6 (On3), #9 (Rivals), #11 (USA Today), #16 (247Sports), #27 (ESPN)
- Cornerback ranks: #3 (On3), #8 (Rivals), #10 (247Sports), #16 (ESPN)
- 2021 All-District 5-6A First Team
- 2020 TAPPS Division I All-State First Team
- Part of a defense that allowed just 109.0 passing yards per game as a senior, including five games of under 100 yards
- 47 tackles, including 27 solo stops, one tackle for loss and one sack, along with three interceptions and nine passes defended as a sophomore
- Played at Plano John Paul II High School as a sophomore and junior and at Prosper High School as a freshman
- Helped John Paul II to a 10-3 overall record and an appearance in the TAPPS Division I championship game in 2019
- Signed with Texas over dozen of other programs, including offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, and Florida
- Also competed in track and field in the 100m and 200m in high schoolÂ
Personal
- Father, Chet, played safety at Texas A&M and three years in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and was part of two Super Bowl teams
- Father, Chet, also coached Terrance at John Paul II High School
