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Friday, April 29, 2011

Curtis Brown info

CURTIS BROWN
Cornerback
University of Texas Longhorns
#3
5:11.5-185
Gilmer, Texas
Gilmer High School

OVERVIEW
Despite enduring its first losing season since 1997, Texas employed excellent talent in the secondary in 2010. The
Longhorns finished second in the Big Twelve Conference and sixth in the nation in pass defense, surrendering just 161.58
aerial yards per game. That effort was led by fourth-year cornerback Curtis Brown – an 11-game starter at left cornerback
who earned All-Big Twelve second-team accolades.

Brown has been a steady contributor at defensive back and on special teams throughout his career in Austin. After
arriving on campus as a heralded prep recruit, Brown went on to play in all 52 games of his collegiate career, garnering
all-conference honors for his play on defense in his final two campaigns. He was also the recipient of the Frank Denius
Award as Texas’ Most Valuable Special Teams Player during his junior season.

Brown is an exceptional athlete who developed into a fantastic football player over his career with the Longhorns. As a
former standout prep wide receiver, he has explosive change of direction ability and loose hips to mirror receivers. He
also boasts a size (5:11.5) and length (32 1/4-inch arms) combination that is much desired by NFL franchises looking for
cornerbacks.

Brown enjoyed a decorated prep career at Gilmer High School, where he burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2004.
He started at cornerback for the Gilmer Buckeyes’ 16-0 Class 3A Division II State Championship squad and was named
District Newcomer of the Year, as well as 13-3A Sophomore of the Year. He delivered 46 tackles, 18 pass deflections and
five interceptions, adding 239 yards with a touchdown on 16 receptions (14.94 ypc) and 104 with another score on 15
carries (6.93 ypc).

Brown moved to receiver prior to his junior season and excelled at his new position, as he registered 63 receptions for
974 yards (15.46 ypc) and 10 touchdowns. He added 750 yards with eight more scores on 47 carries (15.96 ypc) and was
named the District 15-3A Most Valuable Player after leading his team to a 10-2 overall record.

During his final season at the prep level, Brown led Gilmer to a 10-1 overall record while catching 40 passes for 970 yards
(24.25 ypc) and 14 touchdowns, adding 168 yards and another score on 16 carries (10.50 ypc). He earned 3A All-State
first-team honors by the Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writers Association, and participated in the prestigious
U.S. Army All-American Bowl after the season.

Brown’s exploits on the gridiron made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in the nation. He was given the
highest rating of five-stars by recruiting services Rivals.com and Scout.com. Rivals listed him as the second-best
cornerback and 21st overall prospect in the nation, as well as the fourth-best recruit in the state of Texas, while Scout
ranked him as the third-best cornerback in the country.

Brown’s main suitors included Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Texas Tech, but the decision was ultimately an easy
one for the standout prospect. Less than 48 hours after receiving his official offer from the Longhorns, Brown gladly
committed.

Brown graduated from Gilmer early and enrolled at the University of Texas in January of 2007. The early arrival allowed
him to participate in spring camp and gave him a leg-up on the depth chart. The true freshman played in all 13 games as
a reserve cornerback behind starters Ryan Palmer and Brandon Foster, in addition to seeing significant time on special
teams. He delivered 13 tackles (11 solos) with one pass deflection.

As a sophomore in 2008, Brown provided depth in the secondary. He played in all 13 games and started on four
occasions – once at right cornerback, twice when Texas opened in its nickel package and again when the team began in
the dime defense. He also continued to contribute on special teams and finished with 28 tackles (23 solos), five pass
deflections and a quarter-back pressure.

Brown enjoyed a breakout junior campaign in 2009, as he started all 14 games, including 10 at right cornerback, one at
left cornerback, two in the nickel package and another in dime. He registered 47 tackles (34 solos), including 1.5 stops for
combined losses of 11 yards. He returned his only interception 77 yards for a touchdown and added seven pass
deflections, a forced fumble and a blocked punt. He also returned one punt for five yards.

Brown’s efforts on defense earned All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention, as he helped the Longhorns finish
second in the Big Twelve and 19th in the country in pass defense (179.57 ypg), as well as third in the conference and
tenth nationally in pass efficiency defense (100.48 avg). At the team’s postseason banquet, he was the recipient of the
Frank Denius Award as Texas’ Most Valuable Special Teams Player.

Brown entered his senior season as a member of Watch Lists for the Bronko Nagurski (top college defender) and Jim
Thorpe Awards (top college defensive back). He played in all 12 games and started eleven contests at left cornerback,
earning second-team All-Big Twelve Conference honors for his performance. He posted 23 tackles (14 solos), including a
two-yard stop for loss. He returned his only interception for a 74-yard gain and added four pass deflections, as he also
returned 13 punts for 194 yards (14.92 avg).

CAREER NOTES
Started 27-of-52 games for Texas – 12 at left cornerback, 11 at right corner-back, four at nickel back and two at dime
back...Recorded 108 tackles (82 solos) with 2.5 stops for combined losses of 13 yards...Caused one fumble...Gained
151 yards with one touchdown on two interceptions (75.50 avg)...Deflected 17 other pass attempts...Blocked one punt
and notched one quarterback pressure...Gained 199 yards on 14 punt returns (14.21 avg)...His 77-yard interception
return for a touchdown vs. Oklahoma State in 2009 is the 11th-longest interception runback in school history.

2010 SEASON
All-Big Twelve Conference second-team selection...Earned Big Twelve Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week
honors vs. Texas Tech...Member of Watch Lists for the Bronko Nagurski (top college defender) and Jim Thorpe Awards
(top college defensive back)...Played in all 12 games, starting 10 contests at left cornerback, as he came off the bench
vs. Oklahoma and Baylor...Recorded 23 tackles (14 solos), including a two-yard stop for loss...Key member of a
secondary that finished second in the second in the Big Twelve and sixth in the country in pass defense (161.58 ypg), as
well as fifth in the league and 36th nationally in pass efficiency defense (118.92 avg)...Registered one interception,
gaining 74 yards on the return...Deflected four other pass attempts, including three on third-down attempts...Made 43
plays vs. the aerial attack, as he allowed 18 receptions for 316 yards (17.56 yards per completion/7.35 yards per pass
attempt) and 11 first downs that included five scores, as he rerouted/jammed his coverage assignment on 18 incomplete
pass attempts, recording 12 third-down stops and one more on a fourth-down snap...Posted 10 stops vs. the ground
game, limiting runners to 39 yards (3.90 ypc) and one first down...Delivered one of his hits inside the red zone...Added
one tackle on the kickoff coverage unit and another in punt coverage duty...Gained 194 yards on 13 punt returns (14.92
avg).

2009 SEASON
All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention...Recipient of the Frank Denius Award as Texas’ Most Valuable Special
Teams Player...Started all 14 games – 10 at right cornerback, two at nickel, one at left cornerback and another in
dime...Ranked eighth among Longhorns defenders with 47 tackles (34 solos), including 1.5 stops for combined losses of
11 yards...Key member of a secondary that finished second in the Big Twelve and 19th in the country in pass defense
(179.57 ypg), as well as third in the conference and 10th nationally in pass efficiency defense (100.48 avg)...Registered
one interception, gaining 77 yards with a touchdown on the return...Deflected seven other pass attempts...Caused one
fumble and blocked one punt...Also gained five yards on his only punt return.

2008 SEASON
Played in all 13 games with four starts – two at nickel, one at right cornerback and another in dime...Recorded 28 tackles
(23 solos)...Key member of a secondary that finished seventh in the Big Twelve and 104th in the country in pass defense
(259.38 ypg), as well as second in the conference and 59th nationally in pass efficiency defense (124.21
avg)...Registered five pass deflections and added one quarterback pressure.

2007 SEASON
Played in all 13 games as a reserve defensive back and on special teams, as he registered 13 tackles (11 solos) with one
pass deflection...Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener vs. Arkansas State and assisted one on tackle...Had
one solo stop vs. Texas Christian and Central Florida...Notched a season-high five solo tackles with one pass deflection
vs. Rice...Tallied two solo stops vs. Iowa State...Had a solo tackle vs. Texas Tech...Assisted on one stop vs. Texas
A&M...Contributed one solo tackle in the Holiday Bowl vs. Arizona State.

AGILITY TESTS
4.54 40-yard dash (electronic)...1.63 10-yard dash...2.65 20-yard dash...4.00 20-yard shuttle...11.00 60-yard
shuttle...6.59 three-cone drill...39 1/2-inch vertical jump...10’8” broad jump...Bench pressed 225 pounds 10 times...32
1/4-inch arm length...9 1/2-inch hands...75 3/4-inch wingspan.

4 comments:

Steve-O said...

I like the pick. He's got good cover skills and will be a better cover corner than B-Mac. I worry a little about his run stopping ability but we have enough players in the front 7 to take care of that.

Dale Lolley said...

He'll play the slot to start out. From what Lake said tonight, it doesn't sound like they'll make a strong pitch to keep Gay - unless Taylor leaves.

Steve-O said...

I think they'll make a strong pitch to keep Taylor but Gay isn't much more than a backup and we've got enough of them. I look for one more DB in the 4th or a Guard. Have the Steelers given any clues where their headed next?

Anonymous said...

I'm willing to bet they'll take some sort of offensive weapon in the 4th. TE, WR, RB