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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) carries the football during warmups prior to the game 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) carries the football during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Leader in All-Purpose Yards

Chase Brown has been a special runner of the football this season. His abilities have been on full display every week, and he continues to rack up the yards in each game.

As a running back, your primary duties are to run the football. But Brown has proven that he is more than just a running back, though. When called upon, Brown has been able to deliver in the receiving game as well.

Through seven games, Brown has 1,059 yards rushing and has added another 107 yards receiving. To go along with that 107 yards receiving, he has also caught two touchdown passes.

The biggest receiving game came in one of the biggest contests of the season this past weekend against Minnesota. The Illini needed a burst of offensive explosion, and Brown was able to provide that to the program. He would rush for 180 yards and also had 52 yards receiving and a touchdown.

A contributing factor to why I believe Brown is a legit contender for the Heisman Trophy is the fact he is a great all-purpose running back.

For the season, Brown has 1,166 all-purpose yards, which is No. 1 in the nation. No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 in all-purpose yards also have kickoff return yardage, and they still haven’t caught Brown.

Not only has Brown done a great job carrying the football, but he is also a threat in the passing game. This dual-threat ability just adds to his Heisman lore.

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