Former Illinois running back Chase Brown was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 163rd overall pick. Brown is the twin brother of former Illinois defensive back and 66th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Sydney Brown.

Chase Brown grew up in London, Ontario, but along with his brother, transferred to a high school in Bradenton, Florida during 2016. While Sydney Brown began his collegiate career in orange and blue, Chase Brown spent one year at Western Michigan University before transferring to Illinois.

Despite getting play time in four games during his first season with the Illini, Chase Brown ultimately decided to redshirt the season and return as a full starter for the 2020 season. 

Over the next three seasons with Illinois, Brown recorded two seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards in 2021 and 2022. Most recently, Brown was the first player in the entire nation to reach the 1,000-yard mark during the 2022 season and ultimately finished with the fourth-most rushing yards in all of college football. All Big-Ten honors were commonplace for Brown, as he accrued two appearances on the third team and one on the second team.

Final stats of 1,643 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns created a significant amount of draft buzz for the redshirt junior.

Brown was a workhorse for the Illini, as he had over 300 carries in 12 games for the team in 2022. Brown was a Doak Walker finalist, awarded to the best running back in the nation, and was the first Illini to ever be a finalist for the award. 

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Brown showed out with a 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash, as well as recording 25 reps on the bench press, the best amongst all running backs in Indianapolis. 

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