Illinois RB tops CFL Scouting Bureau’s fall top-20 list

TORONTO — Illinois running back Chase Brown is the top-ranked player on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s top-20 fall list.

The list, released by the league Thursday, features the top-20 eligible prospects for the 2023 CFL draft.

The five-foot-11, 205-pound Brown, a native of London, Ont., has had a stellar start to his 2022 season. He has rushed for 350 yards (6.4-yard average) and two touchdowns for Illinois (1-1) and also registered a receiving TD.

Brown has run for 1,913 yards and scored 11 total touchdowns in 24 career games at Illinois.

Victoria native Dontae Bull, an offensive lineman at Fresno State, is ranked second overall. The towering six-footseven, 320-pound senior has started 27 of 35 career games at the school.

Brown’s twin brother, Sydney, a defensive back at Illinois, holds down the third spot. He has registered 10 tackles (five solo) and a tackle for a loss in two games and has started 37 of his 41 career games with the Illini.

Pittsburgh receiver Jared Wayne, of Peterborough, Ont., is No. 4. He had a team-high three catches for 89 yards in the Panthers’ season-opening 38-31 win over West Virginia and last season recorded career bests in receptions (47), yards (658) and touchdowns (six).

Cincinnati receiver Nick Mardner, of Mississauga, Ont., was ranked fifth overall. Mardner is in his first season with the Bearcats. After registering 46 catches for 913 yards and five TDs last season — his third — at Hawaii, Mardner transferred to Cincinnati.

Rounding out the top-10, in remaining order, are: Edmonton’s Lwal Uguak, (DL, Texas Christian); Sidy Sow of Bromont, Que., (OL, Eastern Michigan); Theo Benedet of North Vancouver, B.C., (U.B.C.); Tavius Robinson of Guelph, Ont. (DL, Ole Miss); and Ottawa’s Jonathan Sutherland (DB, Penn State).