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Illinois Football: 3 biggest impact players on the Illini offense

By Jalen Wilson

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 31: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 31: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 14: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini rushes for yards against Aaron Lewis #71 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Tyshon Fogg #8 during the first quarter at SHI Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 23-20. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

The Illinois football team is gearing up for the 2021 campaign, and the offense has players ready to make an impact.

Since becoming the Illini head coach, Bret Bielema has made changes to the offense including switching some positions. Both Isaiah Williams and Marquez Beason switched to wide receiver over the spring. The coaching staff also did a good job adding Jafar Armstrong and Chase Hayden from the transfer portal.

I think it is also important to point out the change in scheme. Tony Peterson is going to run a pro-style offense with 11 and 12 personnel meaning that Illinois will likely utilize tight ends and running backs a lot more. This will be beneficial for Brandon Peters as he would be taking more snaps under center this season. Running this type of offense will also benefit the running backs.

Earlier this year, in April, we saw a glimpse of the offense in the spring game. However, I would take that glimpse with a grain of salt since the first-string offense was going up against the second-string defense.

Under Peterson’s new offense, I think that some Illinois football players can have a significant impact on the field.

Here are the three biggest impact players on offense for the Illinois football team.

3. Chase Brown

When Chase Brown transferred from Western Michigan to Illinois, many Illinois football fans didn’t know what to expect from him.

While at Western Michigan, Brown rushed for 352 yards and caught 10 passes for 75 yards. After that season, he transferred to the Illini and rushed for 18 yards in only two games.

Last season Brown ran 540 yards and 3 touchdowns while also catching 7 passes for 61 yards. He was named All-Big Ten third-team by media and All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches. He was also named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.

Brown doesn’t have much he needs to improve besides pass blocking. His weight gain may help him with pass blocking as his weight jumped to 205-pounds this summer.  He does a good job at making defenders miss, hitting holes, and catching the ball.

Brown gives everything coaches want from their starting running back. With the new offense this season, I predict Brown will have 800+ rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. I expect his receiving numbers to stay identical to the previous year.

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