Illinois Football: Could Dre Brown be returning to the Illini in 2020

What if I told you the Illinois football team could get an experienced senior leader back at the running back position in 2020?

Well, this could be the case according to Jeremy Werner of 247Sports. He had a chance to interview Illinois running back Dre Brown before what could end up being his final game at Memorial Stadium. There were some feel-good quotes in this interview, but there was one quote that stood out to me the most about the future of Brown and the potential of him returning to the Illini.

"“We discussed it during the bye week, but I think it’s a decision I want to make totally after the season,” Brown said. “I just feel like I really need to be there for senior day, just because of my class, the guys I came here with and done the five years, four years with. I feel like I owe it to them to go through it with those guys.”"

In the article written about the interview, Werner explains that the Illinois coaching staff has already sat down with Brown about coming back for another season. This would all be made possible by the fact Brown took two medical redshirts, which would grant him a sixth year of eligibility.

Getting Brown back for one more season would be huge for the Illinois football program. He is an important piece to the puzzle this season for the Illini. His 5.4 yards per carry average is best on the team among running backs with over 10 carries this season. He is second on the team in rushing with 528 yards and 4 touchdowns. We could, potentially, get him back for one more year too. That would be incredible.

If Brown returns, I would slot him as the starting running back day one. He has been a solid one-two punch with Reggie Corbin this season, so it should be a seamless transition for Brown into the starting role. Behind Brown will, hopefully, be a healthy Mike Epstein. I am not giving up on this kid. We also have a few solid running backs waiting in the wings.

Let’s not forget who we have coming in too. We are losing one Reggie and gaining another. Reggie Love is entering the program as a top 500 recruit in the class of 2020. This kid is going to be something special, but having depth in front of him in year one isn’t a bad thing. This gives him a chance to, potentially, redshirt year one.

Having Brown come back would be big for football reasons, but I want him to make a decision that is best for him. He is clearly focusing on his future on and off the field. I hope nothing but the best for the kid. Whatever decision he makes, Illini Nation will be behind him 100-percent.