Chase Brown, RB Illinois: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Brown was a three-star recruit from Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton, Florida in the class of 2018

Illinois running back Chase Brown popped onto the national scene in 2020 when he earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions from the coaches and media. He followed up with an impressive 2021 campaign and is poised to make a push for the 2023 NFL Draft as a redshirt junior.

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Chase Brown, RB Illinois: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt junior running back from London, Ontario

Background: Brown was a three-star recruit from Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton, Florida in the class of 2018. He was the No. 1,332 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,238 for On3.com. Brown was an unranked two-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 74 grade out of 100. Brown produced 1,508 yards and 27 touchdowns on 98 carries in ten games as a high school senior. He participated in track and field, anchoring the state champion 400m relay team. Brown holds the school record in the 100m dash. He has a sister and a twin brother (Sydney Brown) who plays safety for Illinois. Brown’s father (Darren Issac) played in the CFL for three years and his mother (Raechel Brown) was a figure skater. He transferred from Western Michigan to Illinois in the spring of 2019. Brown was born on March 21, 2000.

2021 Production: 10 games, 170 carries, 1,005 yards, 5 touchdowns + 14 receptions, 142 yards

2020 Production: 8 games, 104 carries, 540 yards, 3 touchdowns + 4 kick returns, 62 yards

2019 Production: 4 games, 3 carries, 18 yards (Redshirt Year)

2018 Production: 13 games, 71 carries, 352 yards + 10 receptions, 75 yards + 12 kick returns, 227 yards

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed two games with undisclosed injuries in 2021

Awards: 2020 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (coaches), 2020 Third-Team All-Big Ten (media), 2021 Third-Team All-Big Ten

Pros: Only one fumble in the past three seasons, keeps legs churning, exciting burst, impressive straight line speed, track background translates to the field, makes cuts at near full speed to send defenders flying, sets defenders up in open space and makes them miss without losing momentum, sudden cuts, plays through contact, quick feet, reaches top speed quickly because of his acceleration, defenders struggle to tackle him high, above average contact balance

Cons: Age, minimal snaps in the slot, two drops on roughly 20 targets in 2021, I wouldn’t expect him to be involved in the passing game at the NFL level, allowed seven pressures and three quarterback hits in pass pro in 2021, inconsistent at making the first defender miss, runs high, there is some boom or bust to his running style (especially on inside runs), lacks pure twitch

Overview: Brown is unofficially listed at 5'11", 205 lbs. He produced more yards after contact (703) in 2021 than Auburn’s Tank Bigsby and LSU’s Tyrion Davis-Price despite having at least 40 fewer carries than both SEC backs. Brown’s 4.14 yards after contact per attempt tied with Ole Miss’ Jerrion Ealy for 22nd in the nation among running backs with at least 50 carries. The fifth year back shows tremendous burst as he quickly accelerates to his top speed. Brown’s track background translates well to the field. I wouldn’t classify his speed as elite, but his top speed gives defenses trouble, especially on the outside. Brown also showcases quick footwork and a good understanding of how to set up defenders for cuts and fakes in the open field. He makes some sudden moves at top speed that leave crashing linebackers or safeties grasping at air. Unfortunately, Brown offers little value on passing downs because of his lack of involvement as a receiver and struggles in pass protection. There’s an element of boom or bust to Brown’s running style where he’ll either get stopped immediately or pick up a good chunk of yards. That might reflect more on Illinois’ offensive line than Brown.

Overall, Brown displays an exciting combination of burst, speed, and suddenness. His toughness and willingness to play through contact make him one of the more complete backs in terms of having a well-rounded running style. Unfortunately, concerns about his ability to contribute on third down drop his stock to Day 3.

Role & Scheme Fit: Early down back in an inside zone or outside zone scheme

Round Projection: Late Fourth to Mid Fifth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-19-22