Illinois RB Chase Brown set for NFL Draft. What you need to know about the prospect.

Chris Sims, Journal Star

February 18, 2023 at 5:12 AM·4 min read

University of Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon may be grabbing most of the Illini's NFL Draft spotlight but the skills of running back Chase Brown should not be forgotten.

Brown's play for the Illini was a critical element of the team's success and has been since he took the field for Illinois.

Illini football:Illinois cornerback's devastating hits leave fans awestruck ahead of NFL Draft

Here's what you need to know about NFL Draft prospect Chase Brown:

Who is University of Illinois' Chase Brown?

Brown is a 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior running back for the Illini, who opted to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, according to the Illinois website.

When is the 2023 NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft will run Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29.

Illinois RB Chase Brown's statistics

Brown set a school record in 2022, rushing for more than 100 yards in the Illini's first 10 games, and added another school record by rushing for over 100 yards in 11 games for the season. He finished the year ranked second in the Big Ten and third in the nation avergaing 136.9 yards per game rushing.

Thoughout Brown's career, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry. He amassed 3,206 yards on 605 carries and 18 touchdowns in four years. He added 48 catches for 446 yards and three touchdowns.

He finishes his career as the school's all-time second-leading rusher. Brown trails only Robert Holcombe, who had 4,105 yards from 1994-97.

2022: 328 carries for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns; 27 receptions for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns; played in 12 games.
2021: 170 carries for 1,005 yards and 5 touchdowns; 14 receptions for 142 yards; played in 10 games.
2020: 104 carries for 540 yards and 3 touchdowns; 7 receptions for 64 yards; played in 8 games.
2019: 3 carries for 18 yards; played in 4 games.

Did Illinois RB Chase Brown win any awards?

Yes. Brown received extensive recognition for his efforts, according to the Illinois website.

First Doak Walker Award finalist in Illinois history, as one of the top three running backs in college football
Maxwell Award semifinalist, as one of the top 20 offensive players in college football
Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist, as one of the top 22 players in college football
Second team selection as Walter Camp All-American, AFCA All-American, FWAA All-American, AP All-American, Sporting News All-American and CBS All-American.
Third team selection as Phil Steele All-American, PFF All-American and Senior Bowl All-American.
All-Big Ten second team for both coaches and media
Voted Reese's Senior Bowl National Team Running Back Player of the Week by his peers

BREAKING: Illinois’ Chase Brown (@chasebrown____ ) has been voted National team’s RB Practice Player-of-Week by vote from his peers in National LB group.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/cTDTVxHAy3
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 3, 2023

Did Chase Brown play in the ReliaQuest Bowl?

No. The running back sat out the game after announcing he was entering and turning his focus on the NFL Draft. The Illini lost to Mississippi State, 19-10.

New Beginnings. #ILL #DHGB pic.twitter.com/BM18BZv6pF
— CHASE BROWN (@chasebrown____) December 23, 2022

NFL Draft 2023 predictions for Illinois RB Chase Brown

Most predictions don't have Brown getting selected on Day 1. Here's a look at where Brown is being projected to be chosen:

CBS Sports: "There should be plenty of teams willing to take a shot on him during the second and third days of the draft."
Fantasy Pros: "Round 4-5."
NFLDraftBuzz.com: "5th (round)"
Sports Illustrated: "Brown’s non-existent third-down profile and age limit his ceiling as a prospect to the fourth or fifth round."

Getting to know Illinois RB Chase Brown

According to the Illinois website, Brown is the son of Darren Issac and Raechel Brown. He was born on March 21 along with his twin brother, Sydney. He also has one sister, Mya.

Brown's mother was a figure skater, while Sydney also played defensive back for University of Illinois. Sydney also opted to forgo his final season with the Illini, skip the ReliaQuest Bowl and enter the NFL Draft.

Forever an Illini, I love you Illini nation. 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/TQJYpQqPuO
— Sydney Brown (@Sydbrown___) December 17, 2022

The twins were born in London, Ontario, and graduated from St. Stephen's Episcopal Preparatory School in Bradenton, Fla. Chase majored in communication at the Univiersity of Illinois.

Chris Sims is a digital producer for Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: NFL Draft prospect 2023: What to know about Illinois RB Chase Brown

AFP
China retail sales pick up speed, beat forecasts in October
China's retail sales last month grew at their fastest clip since the start of the year, official figures showed Friday, an encouraging sign for Beijing as it looks to boost sluggish consumption.However, industrial production growth edged down to 5.3 percent in October, the NBS figures showed, from 5.4 percent the previous month.
Associated Press
APEC leaders to open Lima summit as Trump prepares to return to office
Representatives from 21 members representing the Pacific Rim are meeting in Peru on Friday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the first global summit since U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory featuring several major world leaders. The annual gathering brings together countries and members that jointly account for almost two-thirds of global GDP and half the world's trade, according to organizers.
AFP
Tropical Storm Sara pounds Honduras with heavy rain
Tropical Storm Sara dumped heavy rains with the potential to cause disastrous flooding Thursday as it churned inland along the northeastern coast of Honduras.Sara will slowly move near the northern coast of Honduras over the next couple of days and bring isolated areas up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain, the NHC said.
Associated Press
Party of Sri Lanka's new Marxist-leaning president takes large lead in parliamentary vote
The party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took a large lead Friday in early results from the parliamentary elections, in an apparent solid mandate for his program for economic revival. Dissanayake’s National People’s Power Party won 15 of the 22 electoral districts whose results have been released so far by the Elections Commission. Dissanayake was elected president on Sept. 21 in a rejection of traditional political parties that have governed the island nation since its independence from British rule in 1948.
AFP
N. Korean leader orders 'mass production' of attack drones
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the "mass production" of attack drones, state media reported Friday, as concerns mount over the country's deepening military cooperation with Russia.Kim said the drones were an "easy to use... component of striking power" due to their relatively low production cost and expansive range of applications, according to KCNA. He said the North had "recently attached importance" to developing unmanned hardware systems and to integrating them with the country'
NBC News
Senators want details of Matt Gaetz ethics probe before his confirmation vote for attorney general
Republican senators want details of the Ethics Committee investigation into Matt Gaetz after Trump selected him to run the Justice Department as attorney general.
CNN
Taiwan is fast becoming a top destination for outdoor adventure and wellness fans. It’s easy to see why
With more than 160 peaks over 3,000 meters, hiking trails through remarkable forests and epic surf churned up by waves that roll unimpeded across the Pacific, Taiwan is a nature lover’s dream destination.
AFP
Rebel attacks keep Indian-run Kashmir on the boil
Ambushes, firefights and a market grenade blast: headline-grabbing attacks in Indian-run Kashmir are designed to challenge New Delhi's bid to portray normality in the disputed territory, Indian security officials say.When an attacker this month hurled a grenade at security forces in a busy market -- killing a woman and wounding 11 civilians -- shoppers returned within a couple of hours.
CNN
World leaders heading to major summits are wary of Trump. China’s Xi sees an opportunity
As leaders from across the world gather for two major summits in South America in the coming days, the uncertainty brought by Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House is expected to loom large.
TODAY
13 high-fiber snacks that will keep you feeling satisfied all day
Fiber promotes gut health and can help keep you feeling full. These tasty high-fiber snacks are super satisfying and full of healthy nutrients, dietitians say.
AFP
Japan growth slows as new PM readies stimulus
Japan's growth slowed in the third quarter, official data showed Friday, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seeks to jumpstart the world's fourth-largest economy."The economy lost momentum in the third quarter and we think that GDP growth will remain around trend over the coming quarters," Marcel Thieliant, head of Asia-Pacific at Capital Economics, said in a note on Friday.
Associated Press
Navy didn't understand well-documented risks posed by Hawaii fuel tanks, watchdog says
Navy officials “lacked sufficient understanding” of the risks of maintaining massive fuel storage tanks on top of a drinking water well at Pearl Harbor where spilled jet fuel poisoned more than 6,000 people in 2021, a U.S. military watchdog said Thursday. The finding was among a long list of Navy failures identified by the inspector general in two reports that follow a yearslong investigation into the fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Investigators said it was imperative for the Navy to address its management of fuel and water systems at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and recommended that the military assess leak detection systems at other Navy fuel facilities.
AFP
Trump's top team: firebrands and stalwarts
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles for his future White House to a mix of political allies, firebrands and a few relatively conventional figures.She was among the first to be nominated as the president-elect rolled out his choices.
Reuters
Philippines braces for typhoon Man-yi as Usagi weakens
Typhoon Usagi weakened sharply on Friday after bearing down on the Philippines' northern towns, blowing away houses in its path as authorities brace for another storm that could hit the capital Manila over the weekend. Usagi, known locally as Ofel, intensified into a super typhoon as it made landfall in the town of Baggao in Cagayan province on Thursday afternoon. Philippine meteorological agency Pag-asa said that Usagi has since weakened and is now headed towards Taiwan.
USA TODAY
SC Rep. Nancy Mace calls for federal probe of research facility after 43 monkeys escaped
Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina's 1st District has called for an investigation into Alpha Genesis in South Carolina after 43 monkeys escaped.
TODAY
Number of illnesses tied to McDonald's E. coli outbreak doubles: These states have the most cases
Which states are affected by the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders? At least 75 cases have been reported in 13 states, including Colorado and Montana.
NBC News
Trump to nominate his criminal defense lawyer for deputy attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump said he's nominating Todd Blanche, one of his criminal defense lawyers in the classified documents case, to be the deputy attorney general.
AFP
Gay, trans people voicing -- and sometimes screaming -- Trump concerns
At a popular LGBTQ cabaret in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, Lisa Frankenstein wasn't about to let the topic of Donald Trump go without mention.Frankenstein said.
Associated Press
Death penalty sought for an Idaho gang member accused of killing a man while on the run
Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if an Idaho white supremacist gang member is convicted of killing a man while he was on the run after shooting officers in a plot to help a fellow gang member escape from prison. Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman announced Thursday that the death penalty would be sought if Nicholas Umphenour is convicted of a murder charge in the March death of James Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, KHQ-TV reported.
AFP
Asian markets fluctuate at end of tough week
Asian markets were mixed Friday after Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell tempered expectations for interest rate cuts, while traders also contemplated a hawkish Trump presidency.However, while the bank is expected to cut rates again next month, Powell warned that the path "is not preset", adding that "the economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates".