CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The nature of football is to be competitive–for wins, for playing time. This year in Illinois’s defensive back room, that competition comes from a place of fellowship and brotherly love.

Illinois returns the most starters out of the Big Ten with 16, including five at defensive back. Xavier Scott, Miles Scott, Matthew Bailey, Torrie Cox Jr. and Kaleb Patterson join rising stars like Jaheim Clarke and Tanner Heckel.

“It’s definitely a friendly competition,” said Clarke, gearing up for his junior season. “We all want to compete, we all want to be the best corner, you know? But we all also, it’s a brotherhood, so we all are really close. So we all just like compete, but we also help each other.”

Clarke spent the last two seasons learning directly from All-Big Ten First Team selection Xavier Scott.

“Every morning I would drive him to practice and we would talk,” said Clarke. “After practice we would talk, like ‘What did you see out there?’ and he just encouraged me like ‘Okay, you did good on this rep, but now you can get your head back to go play the ball more’ or ‘He got you on that rep,’ what I could’ve did better. He’s just been that stepping stool, that older brother to me.”

Leading the charge is second-year defensive backs coach Corey Parker, who has captured fans and players alike with his infectious energy. Aaron Henry said the two share a “good cop, bad cop” mentality when it comes to the defense.

“Coach Parker makes everyone believe they’re 6’8″ and run a 4.3 40 [yard dash],” said Henry.

The pair is met with an arsenal of options at defensive back this season, making the competition a matter of who can fill the role needed to match up against various offensive styles.

“That gives us a chance to, you know, cover different types of receivers and give different looks to offense,” said Parker. “I’m pretty excited to see just a multitude of bodies, body types and skill sets. When you mix that together, you really help yourself out on defense a little bit. Nowadays, so many different forms of 11-person offenses.”

Xavier Scott has already received notice ahead of the season, named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch lists.