Not lengthy after Colorado employed Deion Sanders as head coach on Dec. 3, Jackson State defensive finish Jeremiah Brown started doing a little analysis on CU.
On Thursday, Brown made it public that he’ll observe his former head coach to Boulder.
Brown was one in all two gamers to announce their switch to CU on Thursday, as former Fresno State defensive deal with Leonard Payne Jr. can be becoming a member of the Buffs.
A 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive finish, Brown has two seasons of eligibility remaining and he turns into the sixth Jackson State participant to switch to CU, following Sanders, generally known as Coach Prime, who coached the Tigers the previous three seasons. A number of former JSU assistant coaches are coming to Boulder, as nicely.
“For me, it’s due to course coach Prime after which my complete teaching workers actually went over there,” Brown advised BuffZone. “I’m going the place the teaching workers already is aware of me, is aware of what I can deliver to the desk. If I am going anyplace else or keep, I must show myself once more to a brand new teaching workers. The coaches know what I’m about.”
Soccer wasn’t his solely motivation, nevertheless.
“From an instructional standpoint, all people’s not gonna go to the league (NFL), however that’s undoubtedly my plan A,” he stated. “However my plan B is pursuing a profession in electrical engineering and Colorado has the No. 19 engineering program within the nation. It’s undoubtedly an enormous professional of coming to Colorado.”
Brown, a three-star recruit popping out of Gadsden County Excessive College in Carrabelle, Fla., in 2021, performed sparingly as an inside linebacker at JSU as a real freshman.
“I didn’t play as a lot. I used to be extra so a particular groups participant,” stated Brown, who had six tackles and a sack in seven video games in 2021. “Final spring coach Prime talked to me and he stated, ‘Hey, I feel it’s best to check out being an edge participant.’ I listened to him, trusted him via the method and the coaches helped me out. I skilled with them, busted my behind and obtained fairly good at it.”
This season, enjoying on the sting for the primary time in his life, Brown completed with 47 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, three quarterback hurries and two pressured fumbles.
“I beloved it. It’s undoubtedly enjoyable. There’s no higher feeling than getting a sack,” he stated. “I obtained to study, modified positions. I’m not gonna say it was at all times a simple street, however I busted my behind and fought via the whole lot.
“For me, it made me turn into a greater man within the side of it made me understand that I could make it via something. Throw this at me, I can change positions, it gained’t matter. I’m gonna nonetheless exit and play my hardest.”
Leaping to Colorado, Brown must face more durable competitors, however he’s prepared.
“There’s undoubtedly a distinction however I feel I’m prepared for the problem,” he stated.
Though he’s not aware of CU, Brown ought to really feel comfy with Sanders, a number of JSU teammates and many of the JSU workers being in Boulder, as nicely.
“It’s gonna be like a household reunion,” stated Brown, who will enroll at CU subsequent month.
Payne is a 6-foot-3, 308-pound defensive deal with who has one season of eligibility remaining.
This season, he performed in 11 video games, with one begin, recording 10 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and two sacks, together with one in a 29-6 win in opposition to Washington State within the Jimmy Kimmel L.A. Bowl on Dec. 17.
Throughout his profession with the Bulldogs, Payne appeared in 29 video games, with 10 begins (9 of these in 2021). He had 35 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
CU has 34 gamers within the 2023 recruiting class, together with 16 four-year transfers. Arizona State, with 18, is the one group with extra transfers than the Buffs. No different group within the FBS has greater than 11 transfers.
The Buffs’ switch class ranks fourth nationally, per 247Sports.com, behind LSU, Florida State and Michigan.