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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 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers 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 during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Consistency running the football

It seems that there are variables to winning the Heisman Trophy. A player can rack up the most yards or be on the best team, but if you don’t bring consistency to the table, your team can’t rely on you to perform week in and week out.

Illinois football has had some great running backs in the past. Our single-season rushing leader is Mikel Leshoure, who rushed for 1,697 yards back in 2010. But he wasn’t consistent that season. He had some big games like a 330-yard performance against Northwestern, but he also had four games with sub-90 yards rushing.

I think one of the things that makes Chase Brown so special is consistency. He is a consistent runner of the football who brings his best to each and every game. This is also one of the elements why I believe Brown is a contender for the Heisman Trophy.

In Illinois’ 6-1 start, Brown has had over 100 yards in each contest. The “worst” game he has had this season came against Chattanooga, but he only had 20 carries in that game. He would finish the victory with 108 yards and a touchdown.

Brown isn’t just padding his stats against bad teams and then disappearing into the shadows when Big Ten season rolls around. He has performed in every game this season. Brown continues to be one of the best players in the country, and his consistency elevates him to another level.

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