Former Illinois Football Safety shines in Eagles debut

Former Illinois standout Sydney Brown had nine tackles in his Eagles debut.

“Did you have a moment where you said, here it is, the NFL?” That was the question a reporter asked the 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Sydney Brown, after his debut for the Philadelphia Eagles last night. For Brown, it was when he stepped off the team bus.

“I just took it all in,” said Brown, the Eagles’ third-round pick this past spring. “Obviously woke up (Saturday) and came to the stadium; I was like, OK, this is going to happen. No turning around. We’re going right into it. “But being on the field and seeing the pros, especially the guys on the other side, guys like Odell (Beckham Jr.). It was cool seeing those guys on the sideline. I can’t wait to get to the regular season.”

Brown played with the third-team defense and led the team in tackles last night. The London, Ontario native showed his closing speed and ability to wrap up ball carriers and bring them to the ground.

“I play really fast,” said Brown. “I like to take my shot. It’s kind of hard to show that in practice, but making that tackle and wrapping up on contact is important. I’m working with the coaches, D.K. (McDonald) and Taylor Johnson, to dial in my technique.”

For some who watched, he stirred the echoes of Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu:

Loved what I saw out of Sydney Brown last night. 9 solo tackles, and don’t remember a rookie safety that’s come into their debut flying around disrupting plays like this.

I can’t watch this and not think of a Troy Polamalu with the missile-esque defensive play style. pic.twitter.com/OqkW9atFh1

— Derek Hryn (@DerekHryn) August 13, 2023

Can Brown start as a rookie?

There is an opportunity for Brown to start this season with C.J. Garner-Johnson and Marcus Epps gone via free agency. Consequently, Brown has all the skills you’d want in a modern-day NFL safety. He can come down into the box and play the run. Brown can also play deep and turn the football over. He proved that by leading the Illini in interceptions in 2022.

Brown has a long way to go up the depth chart to be a starter, but his first game could indicate good things to come.