KANSAS CITY — Illinois All-American defensive back Sydney Brown was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round (No. 66 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Brown was the third Illini selected in the first three rounds of the draft, joining No. 5 overall pick Devon Witherspoon (Seattle) and second-rounder Jartavius Martin (Washington). 

Brown was a 2022 USA Today All-American second-team selection after ranking third in the nation and leading the Big Ten in interceptions with six. He totaled 59 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.0 sacks, six interceptions, and seven pass breakups for the nation's top-ranked scoring defense. 

Brown started 50 games over five years during his Illini career, helping turn around the program in his last two years. For his career, Brown had 319 tackles, 10 interceptions, 26 passes defended, 10.0 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, earning honorable mention accolades as a junior in 2021 before becoming a first-team pick by the coaches in 2022. 

With Witherspoon, Martin, and Brown, Illinois had three defensive backs drafted for the first time in program history dating back to the NFL-AFL merger.

Brown was the 10th Fighting Illini drafted by the Eagles and the first since WR Mike Bellamy, who Philadelphia picked in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

Illini in the 2023 NFL Draft