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Illinois Football: Top 10 most overlooked Illini recruits

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown (30) reacts to a penalty call during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown (30) reacts to a penalty call during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 23: Jer’Zhan Newton #94 of the Illinois Fighting Illini adjusts his helmet after a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

No. 8 Johnny Newton – #1057

  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (FR)
  • Second Team All-American (SO)
  • All-Big Ten First Team (SO)
  • 132 tackles, 3 pass deflections, 10.5 sacks in 3 seasons
  • #71 graded player in the 2023 NFL Draft (PFF.com)

There are multiple Illinois players who suited up in 2022 on this list. Newton is one of those talented players. Coming out of high school, he was only ranked as the No. 1057 player in the class of 2020.

Newton has dazzled since joining the Illinois program. He has compiled 132 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and three pass deflections in three seasons. These numbers helped earn him All-Big Ten honorable mention as a freshman.

This past season, Newton would secure a spot on the All-Big Ten first team and be named as a member of the second-team All-American squad. He is currently ranked as the No. 71 graded player for the 2023 NFL Draft by Pro Football Focus. Newton has decided to return to Illinois for one more season despite that fact. The kid is a legend.

No. 7 Sydney Brown – #1598

  • Second Team All-American (SR)
  • All-Big Ten First Team (SR)
  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (JR)
  • #58 graded player in the 2023 NFL Draft (PFF.com)
  • 307 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 10 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, 16 pass deflections in 5 seasons

There are some pretty special players who have been ranked sub-1500 come through the Illinois football program. Brown is one of those players.

Brown was ranked as the No. 1598 player in the class of 2018. That ranking was a little off, as Brown would be one of the main staples in the Illinois secondary for much of the past three seasons.

During his Illinois career, Brown amassed 307 tackles, 16 pass deflections, 10 interceptions, four forced fumbles, two sacks, and two touchdowns. These numbers earned him All-Big Ten honorable mention honors as a junior and All-Big Ten first team and All-American second team honors as a senior.

Brown is going to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently graded as the No. 58 player in the draft by Pro Football Focus.

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