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Illinois star RB Chase Brown declares for 2023 NFL Draft, announces he's forgoing bowl game

On3 imageby: Andrew Graham12/23/22AndrewEdGraham
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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 29: Running back Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Illinois star running back Chase Brown has made a decision on his future plans, announcing on Friday that he’ll forgo playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Brown began his college career at Western Michigan before transferring to Illinois after one season. There, Brown, along with his twin brother and star safety Sydney Brown, helped lead a resurgent Illinois program to an 8-4 record. After Sydney Brown declared for the draft earlier and now this decision, both Brown twins are off to the 2023 NFL Draft.

Brown was one of the most productive running backs in college football in 2022, rushing for 1643 yards at a five yards per carry clip. He scored 10 times on the ground and added three more receiving touchdowns on 27 receptions for 240 yards.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.