Illinois has an embarrassment of riches at the running back position. Chase Brown will enter the 2022 season as the starter, while being backed up by Josh McCray, a back who would likely start on many Power 5 teams. Chase Hayden entered the spring as third in the rotation, but he may find it hard to hold off freshmen Jordan Anderson and Aiden Laughery.
STARTER: CHASE BROWN
Chase Brown looks primed and ready to go. He may not have elite speed, but he exhibits great balance, vision, patience and explosiveness when hitting the hole. Brown would be a large part of any offense Illinois ran and it is expected offensive coordinator Barry Lunney will get the ball in Brown’s hands as much as possible.