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Illinois Football: 5 reasons Illini running back Chase Brown is a Heisman Trophy contender

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) rushes with the football as Wisconsin Badgers safety John Torchio (15) defends during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) rushes with the football as Wisconsin Badgers safety John Torchio (15) defends during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) reaches to touch the Red Grange statue as he takes the field with teammates before the start of Saturday’s game with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) reaches to touch the Red Grange statue as he takes the field with teammates before the start of Saturday’s game with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Best player on a top 20 team

No one in the world would dispute that Chase Brown is having a great season. He is one of the most dominant players in the country, as detailed in the previous slide.

But none of this would matter if Illinois was a bad team. If Brown was putting up the same numbers and the team was sitting at 4-3, no one would be even mentioning him for any awards, let alone potentially winning the coveted Heisman Trophy.

That isn’t the case, though. Illinois football has started the season 6-1 and is already bowl-eligible. This is the best start for the program since 2011, and Illinois has now been ranked in back-to-back weeks. That hasn’t happened since the 2007 season.

A big reason why the Illini are so good in 2022 is the fact Brown is having a historic season. He is on pace to break the Illinois football single-season rushing record. He has already etched his name on numerous other historical lists for the Illini as well.

I believe one of the reasons why Brown is a legit contender for the Heisman Trophy is the fact he is the best player on one of the best teams in the country.

This past Sunday, the Illini made the move up to No. 18 in the country. I believe Illinois still needs to finish strong this season for Brown to have a chance at the Heisman Trophy. If we can get to nine or 10 wins, then Illinois will stay in the rankings and Brown will continue to be the best player on one of the best teams in the nation.

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