Antario Brown (born December 29, 2002) is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Northern Illinois Huskies.[1][2]
Early life
When Brown was 13 in 2016, his mother died after being shot in her car in front of the family's apartment after coming home from a work shift.[3] He attended Beach High School in Savannah, Georgia, where he rushed for 1,008 yards in 10 games as a junior.[4] Brown originally committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football but changed to Northern Illinois University.[5][6]
College career
As a true freshman at Northern Illinois in 2021, Brown started two of 10 games and rushed for 538 yards on 81 carries with five touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2022, he started three of 10 games, rushing for 689 on 110 carries and seven touchdowns.[7] Brown became a full-time starter his junior year in 2023, rushing for 1,296 yards on 212 carries with 10 touchdowns. He returned to Northern Illinois in 2024.[8]
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Bench press | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 10+1⁄8 in (1.78 m) | 214 lb (97 kg) | 30 in (0.76 m) | 8+3⁄8 in (0.21 m) | 16 reps | ||||||||
| All values from Pro Day[9][10] | ||||||||||||
On October 7, 2025, Brown was signed to the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[11] He was released on October 10, 2025.[11]
Brown signed with the CFL's Edmonton Elks on January 23, 2026.[12] He was released on May 13, 2026.[13]
References
- ↑ Taylor, Shakeia (October 25, 2024). "Antario Brown is part of a long line of great NIU running backs — and he hopes to carry that tradition to the NFL". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ Carifio, Eddie (March 17, 2025). "Antario Brown coming back from injury, still hoping to get drafted". Daily Chronicle. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ Knight, Dennis (July 11, 2020). "Playing with a purpose: Antario Brown strives toward football goals in memory of his late mother, Hannah". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ South Carolina football lands running back recruit Antario Brown from Georgia
- ↑ Savannah running back no longer part of South Carolina’s recruiting class
- ↑ Beach star Antario Brown overcomes adversity to sign to play football at Northern Illinois
- ↑ Antario Brown adjusting to being NIU's experienced running back
- ↑ How this former Savannah football star led Northern Illinois to a huge upset of Notre Dame
- ↑ "NIU Football 2025 Pro Day by the Numbers" (PDF). NIUHuskies.com. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Antario Brown College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- 1 2 "Calgary Stampeders Transactions". FootballDB.com. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "TRANSACTIONS: Elks extend Bemiy, announce seven". Edmonton Elks. January 23, 2026. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "TRANSACTIONS: Elks ink 2026 first-round pick LB Dariel Djabome, announce releases". Edmonton Elks. May 13, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026.