NFL DraftScouting Reports

2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

Chase Brown is noticeably one of the best RBs in college football, leading the nation in rushing while going over the 1000 yard mark in just 7 games. Hula Bowl scout Vimal David discusses Brown as an NFL Prospect in his scouting report.
Chase Brown is noticeably one of the best RBs in college football, leading the nation in rushing while going over the 1000 yard mark in just 7 games. Hula Bowl scout Vimal David discusses Brown as an NFL Prospect in his scouting report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #Chase Brown, #2
School (Code)ILUN
DOB, Class Yr03-21-2000, 5th YR SR
Height, Weight5011, 205 
40 Yd Dash4.48e
Arms, Hands3128, 7500
Position/DepthRB,1st Team
Honors/CaptainshipThe Athletic Midseason All-American first team, Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team, All-Big Ten third team (coaches and media)
Season Viewed (yr)2021,2022
Games Watched21’ @PAST, 22’@INUN, 22’WYUN
Scout Name / DateVimal David, 10-15-2022

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022192 ATT, 1059 YDS, 4 TDS ; 15 REC , 107 YDS, 2 TDS
2021170 ATT, 1005 YDS, 5 TDS ; 14 REC, 142 YDS
2020104 ATT, 540 YDS , 3TDS  ; 7 REC, 64 YDS
20193 ATT, 18 YDS

Player Summary:

Brown often picks up top speed as he displays incredible burst. The previous track experience of the fifth-year back translates nicely onto the field. His top speed is nearly outstanding, and his burst creates a struggle for defenses particularly when he reaches on the outside. Brown accelerates more quickly than other backs, which enables him to achieve his top speed more quickly compared to those other backs. Brown can easily alter linebackers’ and safeties’ angles to the football with his burst of acceleration and place them in trail positions if they aren’t mindful of him. The Fighting Illini back also exhibits twitchy footwork and a keen understanding of how to properly position opponents for cuts and fakes when put in open space. He occasionally performs swift and shifty movements that leave crashing linebackers or safeties in the dust. His presence in the passing game is excellent. He has a great feel for setting up wheel routes and is a natural hands catcher who can turn upfield fast in the screen game, shows good potential in the pass game but just needs more volume. In terms of pass protection and blocking, Brown’s lack of involvement as a receiver and pass protection issues make him of little help on passing downs. He often gets beaten easily during pass protection by engaging defensive ends and is almost non-existent on third downs. He can make the right reads, but he struggles with pass protection and relies too much on cut blocks. Brown frequently ducks his head and lunges when he does manage to stay on his feet. His size plays a factor as to why his pass protection might not be top notch. He isn’t physically imposing to defenders. Brown is small-framed and won’t be able to carry much more weight. Brown’s running style has either a boom or bust quality to it, two things will happen; he will be met and stopped at the line of scrimmage, or he’ll pick up a solid amount of yards. Particularly in the backfield, he finds it difficult to make the first defender miss. That assessment, though, might have more to do with the Fighting Illini’s offensive line rather than Brown. Despite not being a power back, Brown continually shows the effort to fight for more yards in any given play.

Scheme Fit:

RB in a Zone-Blocking scheme.

Power Statement:

Brown exhibits a thrilling blend of acceleration, speed, and burst, and his readiness to play through contact shows off an overall well-rounded running style.

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