In the first few periods, Brown was at the front of the line during defensive back drills, barking out instructions to some of his fellow teammates. The normally soft-spoken upperclassman cornerback was stepping slightly out of his comfort zone and trying to take on a leadership role ahead of Saturday’s Rose Bowl.
“I want to win the game,” Brown said. “I want to win the Rose Bowl. That's really a big thing for me. My freshman year I didn't get a chance to play in it, so this time is the first time I get to play, so I'm excited.” Brown, a redshirt junior, battled injuries again this season. His Achilles was perfectly fine, he says, but his knee was a different story, causing him to miss three games and start just five during the regular season.
He could have had three interceptions this season if not for drops, but by Brown’s own admission, he needs to hit the JUGS machine a few more times.Brown’s career could have been over after this year, and the fourth-year Buckeye was still contemplating whether or not he would return to Ohio State until mid-December. But he ultimately decided he had more to accomplish and didn’t want Saturday’s Rose Bowl to be his final chapter as a Buckeye.
“I didn't really speak much on it because I didn't really, I wanted it to come straight from me, so they gave me time to think on my own, and I made a decision,” Brown said.“He works really hard,” said Ohio State secondary coach Matt Barnes. “He’s a bright guy. Any player gets better with experience. There’s no substitute. There’s no film or practice rep that truly simulates what it’s like to go out there and play in the game in front of a full crowd.
After OSU started 2021 with a very inexperienced secondary, the Buckeyes will return Burke, Brown, Ronnie Hickman, Bryson Shaw and Lathan Ransom, all of whom played significant roles at defensive back this year. Ohio State should also benefit from the return of safety Josh Proctor, who suffered a season-ending injury against Oregon.
YES!!!!! As a wolverine fan bring back allllll the secondary! Bring back the whole damn team! Let’s run it back again and again and again!
A motivated Brown and an experienced Burke will be huge in getting the OSU DB unit back to its BIA standard next year.
Or he received a 5th round draft grade. But ok.
Go Bucks 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Please tell me where to direct my NIL funds. 🙏