Oct 19, 2013; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) receives the ball and is tackled by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Chief Brown (8) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels defeat the LSU Tigers 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
For the third day in a row, we are reviewing a member of the Ole Miss secondary. The past two players, C.J. Hampton and Kendarius Webster, are just true sophomores whose true value won’t shine through until their junior and senior seasons when they take over as starters. Today’s player, Chief Brown, brings a bit of a different flavor to the field as the fifth-year senior brings a wealth of experience into his final season in red and blue.
Brown was a member of the 2011 signing class, the final one under Houston Nutt. After redshirting his freshman year, the Winona native came on strong in 2012 with 17 tackles, one forced fumble, fumble recovery and interception in Hugh Freeze’s first year. He made an even bigger jump in 2013, recording 38 tackles along with a fumble recovery and interception. Unfortunately, a torn achilles in summer practice kept Brown out of the first eight games of the 2014 year as he saw minimal action as a reserve.
The 2015 season figures to be Brown’s best yet as he starts the season backing up fellow senior Mike Hilton at the rover spot left open by All-American Cody Prewitt. By all accounts, his achilles is fully healed and the hard-hitting safety is ready to contribute on the field once again. He carries a big body for a safety at 6’1 and over 200 Lbs. and uses it as he comes down hill in run support. From time to time he leaves a bit to be desired in coverage, but luckily he is flanked by a series of elite defenders that make open space a premium for opposing receivers.
If Ole Miss has the big 2015 they’re hoping for, it won’t be simply because of the guys like Robert Nkemdiche, Tony Connor and Laquon Treadwell. It will be in large part due to the outstanding depth created in every unit on the field. Brown is the perfect example of that as he is a fifth-year guy that could play multiple positions in the secondary and would have started in years past. Instead, he’s filling in when needed and will allow for a lot of big hits in the Vaught in 2015.
38. Jordan Wilkins, RB (So.)
37. Christian Morris, OT (So.)
36. DeVante Kincade, QB (So.)
35. Aaron Morris, OG (Sr.)
34. Markell Pack, WR (So.)
33. Kendarius Webster, CB (So.)
32. C.J. Hampton, S (So.)
31. Chief Brown, S (Sr.)