NFL Combine: Illinois S Sydney Brown Q&A

Get to know Illinois safety Sydney Brown who was one of the top defensive backs at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, as he met with the assembled national media earlier this week.

What did it mean to be elected a team captain?

I'm a guy that leads by action for sure. And I'm going to set the standard each and every day and face complacency in that. So making sure that I'm on my p's and q's before I get on anyone else. And I think that's an asset at the next level.

A lot of Steelers fans see a little bit of Troy Polamalu in your game with the way you fly to the ball and the hair. Is that someone you studied, are there any other players you admire?

That's a big-time comparison. Thank you for that. I respect Troy's game. I definitely watched him growing up. I like guys like Antoine Winfield and Vonn Bell in the NFL right now and I kind of respect their game just because of their versatility and all that.

What can you tell us about teammate Kerby Joseph?

Kerby's great. I mean, Kirby took advantage of his opportunity. It took him one year really and took off with it. But it was encouraging to see, it was encouraging to see another Illinois guy take off like that. I mean, we got three guys here now. Three guys from the secondary that are here at the NFL combine, so it definitely took a toll on all of us.

What’s it like to play with your brother?

It's cool, it's cool, but I said this, we're not doing anything more than what we're supposed to. I mean we're going to both go to the NFL, so it's going to be cool. But I mean it's something, it was a childhood dream of ours growing up and just to kind of finish it off like this and just build on it. I mean, getting to the NFL is one thing and maintaining it is another. So just getting there and really establishing ourselves is what we're looking forward to doing.

How would you describe Chase (identical twin)?

He's confident. I think the one thing at running back, it's a position you're kind of born to play. I think it's a crib position in that way. you're naturally born to run the ball I think. And Chase has got all of it. He can run downhill, he can move side to side. He's elusive, he can catch out of the backfield. he's a versatile back. That's what Chase is. And you rely on that confidence as well. He can play anywhere.

Have teams told you how they intend to use you at the next level?

Not specifically. I think they look at me more as a box safety. I think a lot of the teams see me as that. I've had some comparisons at free as well playing in the post. If I need to play special teams, whatever it is, I'll fit in that role right away.

What makes teammate Devon Witherspoon so good?

He's an ultimate competitor, his willingness to play against anybody and dominate is why he's special. When he steps on the field it's go-time and that's in practice, that's in game, that's in the film room. I mean he's a smart player as well, so that's why he's the best.

Growing up in Canada, what sports did you play before becoming dedicated to football?

So we grew up fighting, boxing, some MMA, wrestling. We grew up doing that. along with track, that was something that we did growing up.

Ever get on skates?

Yeah (laughs), that's funny. that's funny you said. Yeah, we did a little bit, some figure skating here and there. My mom. No, that's funny. My mom put the skates on us with the toe picks and all that. It's crazy. 7-year-old boys and toe picks. It's not a good look.

Do you feel comfortable playing in the slot?

I've got the confidence to play in the slot. I think I've got the technique to do that as well. I don't shy away from anything that the coaches have for me. Whatever team makes the investment in me, I'm going to be willing to do whatever they need. If that's on special teams, like I said, if that's to play slot corner, if that to play the boundary, the free, shoot, if they want me to play corner, I'll do whatever.

What attribute sets you apart?

it's my ability to react to what I see and just trust what my eyes are telling me. I think there's an instinct that I have that I just trigger on things and it's something that I trust.

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