D-II Virginia University of Lynchburg is football program that is on the rise in terms of sending players to the NFL. Some of the most notable players from VUL include defensive tackle and current Washington Redskin Lakendrick Ross, and cornerback Keith Lewis, who was signed by New York Jets. Lewis’s former teammate and great friend, defensive back Anttonio Brown, is trying to follow in his same footsteps.
Brown, a Washington D.C. native, is the ultimate defensive back in this year’s NFL Draft class. Not only can he play free safety, but also strong safety, nickelback, and outside linebacker in certain situations. Do not let his stature fool you as he 6-foot, 215 lbs. but has a nose for the football. Over his four-year career at VUL, he played in 38 games, started in 14, and had 160 tackles.
I had the chance to talk to Brown about the NFL Draft process and his career at VUL.
“Hardworking individual, who goes 100 miles per hour, leaves everything on the line,” Brown said as he reflected upon his personal strengths. “Very coachable, just an-all around ball player.”
Doesn’t this sound like a football player, you want on your team and in the NFL? The guy has the right mindset on and off the field, something some players struggle with. When it comes to his play on the field, he is around the football. He does not have a problem getting physical at the line of scrimmage and can play multiple positions.
Brown relishes the opportunity that he is a versatile player on defense just like his teammate John Robertson who is also a jack of all trades.
“I’m pretty much just a chess piece that you can move around the field and know I’m going to do my job,” he said.
If you ever get the chance to watch his film, you will see that he does his job exceptionally well. He was named a 2011 USCAA Academic All-American and this past season, and played in the 2014 FCS National Bowl, an all-star game for all different levels of college football players.
Brown talked to us about his experience at the FCS National Bowl.
“It was a phenomenal experience, it makes your job that much easier because all you had to do is focus on your task at hand, and know that the other 10 guys lined up beside you is going to handle their business as well.”
He enjoyed his time so much at the game that he recommends other senior college football players to take the chance if given the opportunity.
“You know if anybody out there is a senior in college, I say that everyone should have that experience playing in the FCS National Bowl, with great talent across the United States of America on a D-I level,” he said.
Family is also a big part of Anttonio’s life as he has football bloodlines running through him. He is cousins with former Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker/defensive end Trent Cole. Brown said that Cole gave him wise words of wisdom throughout this process.
“Anttonio continue to go hard, leave it out on the field because if it was easy everybody would be doing it,” Cole told him.
Family also serves as Brown’s motivation to continue during this road to the NFL. Brown said that his mom and younger siblings are his motivation playing football.
“My motivation playing football is my mom. Watching my mom struggle, working two jobs since I was a baby, and she is still working two jobs and I’m 25-years-old, that motivates me,” he said.
Brown continued saying, “I just want her to able to retire and kick her feet up and know that her baby boy is going to take care of it.”
Anttonio Brown is just one of the many 2015 NFL Draft prospects that we want representing the league in the future. He has a great head on his shoulders and plays the game the right way. The sky is the limit for Brown, so do not be shocked if you see his name in your team’s media guide, it’s Anttonio with two T’s, the defensive back from VUL putting on for his city and family.
If you missed my interview with Brown, you can check it out below:
You can also check out Brown’s highlight video below as well:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyElQwLmiMs]Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
