Palczewski, Brown Named Sporting News All-Americans
December 13, 2022 | Football
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois OL Alex Palczewski and RB Chase Brown were named to the Sporting News All-America Team, it was announced Tuesday. Palczewski was on the first team, while Brown was a second team honoree.
The Sporting News All-America Team is the fourth of five All-America teams recognized by the NCAA. The American Football Coaches Association finishes the official All-America announcements on Wednesday.
OL Alex Palczewski
Sporting News All-America first team
The Big Ten record holder in career starts, Palczewski has helped the Illinois offensive line be one of nine in the nation up for the Joe Moore Award. He went 428 pass block snaps without allowing a sack in 2022, the most of any Big Ten offensive tackle, while paving the way for Brown, the Power-5's leading rusher from start to finish.
Palczewski is the first offensive tackle first-team All-American in the modern history of Illinois football. The Illini have not had an offensive tackle become a first-team selection since the eras of two-way players.
RB Chase Brown
Sporting News All-America second team
The nation's second-leading rusher with 1,643 yards, Brown led the Power-5 in rushing from start to finish during the 2022 regular season. A Doak Walker Award finalist, Brown finished the regular season third in the nation in all-purpose yards (1,883), second in the nation in rushes of 10+ yards (48), and tied for the national lead in 100-yard games (10).
Brown rushed for at least 98 yards in 11 of Illinois' 12 games and has scored 13 total touchdowns (10 rushing, three receiving). He did his best work against some of the nation's best rushing defenses, rushing for more yards than any other opponent against Michigan's No. 3-ranked rush defense (140 yards), Wisconsin's No. 12-ranked rush defense (129 yards), and Minnesota's No. 15-ranked rush defense (180 yards).
Illinois' 2022 All-Americans
DB Devon Witherspoon » Walter Camp (1st), FWAA (1st), AP (1st), CBS (1st), PFF (1st)
RB Chase Brown » Walter Camp (2nd), FWAA (2nd), AP (2nd), Sporting News (2nd), CBS (2nd), PFF (3rd)
OL Alex Palczewski » Sporting News (1st), CBS (2nd), PFF (2nd), AP (3rd)
DL Jer'Zhan Newton » Walter Camp (2nd), AP (2nd) CBS (2nd), PFF (2nd)
DB Sydney Brown » PFF (3rd), CBS (HM)
