Hard to believe, but there are under 40 days until the Broncos storm the Capital to take on the Hokies. As you may remember, last summer I embarked on the Herculean task of counting down a different roster spot for each remaining day until kickoff. So far this year, we're batting a thousand, so drop me notes of encouragement now and again so I can find the strength to get through the next couple months without breaking the streak.
We've got 32 days until kickoff...so today we'll be highlighting #32 on the Boise State roster—Jonathan Brown
#32. Jonathan Brown, RS Freshman, S
Stats
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 204 lbs.
High School: Encinal High School, Alameda, CA
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Brown was a do-everything player at Encinal High School, where he earned three varsity letters in football. Brown was second-team all-state as a senior and first-team all-conference on offense and defense. In 2008 Brown was named the Bay Shore Athletic League Offensive Player of the Year, the San Francisco Chronicle Regional Player of the Year, and the Bay Area News Paper Group East Bay Football Player of the Year. Brown recorded 92 tackles, eight sacks and two blocked punts as a senior and threw for 1,364 yards and 28 touchdowns, while also rushing for 862 yards and nine scores. Brown had offers from Colorado, Air Force, and San Diego State.
Nickname
"Brownie" [brou-nee]
ni
I skipped lunch and I'm hungry.
Look-a-like
One love.
Career highlights
Led high school squad to their first North Coast Section title since 1980 and accounted for all five touchdowns in their 35-28 win over Novato in the championship game.
Career lowlight
Got gum in his dreadlocks.
2010 prospectus
Brown played linebacker in high school, but was brought to the Blue to play safety...now it looks like we know where. All Spring, Brown was working at the nickel position and looked poised to make a move up the depth chart, but when the post-Spring depth chart was released for WAC media days, Brown had failed to crack the two-deep. Currenty, both Winston Venable and Hunter White are listed ahead of Brown, and it's assumed that once Jason Robinson serves his 3-game suspension, he'll sit ahead of Brown as well.
So, what can Brown do for us™ in 2010? Special teams, would be my guess. Winston Venable has a firm hold on the starting nickel spot and Hunter White, a converted linebacker, has taken to the position quickly. Jason Robinson was the #2 nickel last season, and it's safe to say he'll be right back in the mix from game 4 on. So Brown's prospects for 2010 look a little bleak on defense, but he can still make a big impact on special teams. I expect Brown to make both kickoff teams and punt teams this season.
With Venable and Robinson graduating this year, Brown's opportunities will open up for his sophomore year in 2011. The way I see it, Brown will have to be considered a top-contender to lock down whatever position Jeremy Ioane doesn't land at. If Ioane becomes Jeron Johnson's heir apparent, Brown will likely stay at Nickel. If Ioane lands at nickel, I think both White and Brown (hehe) will have a tough task ahead of them if Ioane gets up to speed quickly and I wouldn't be surprised to see Brown shift to strong safety. Time will tell.
Completely made up fact
Jonathan Brown is Judge Joe Brown's nephew. Or is it Judge Mathis? I get those two confused.