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As Taylor Barton mentioned in a recent article, people get caught up in measurables, opting to go for a player with the ideal size/speed combo while overlooking the film and what the player does when the helmets and pads go on. Such is the case of Penninsula (Gig Harbor, Wa.) LB Tyler Brown who is a leader for his team as well as force in the middle of the Seahawks’ defense.
“I look at myself as a leader, especially on defense,” Brown told Northwest Elite Index recently. “I’ve started for two years, so I’ve got a lot of experience and because of my success, I think my teammates listen to me and I know the defense and what we need to get done.
“All of the seniors want to go out playing better in the playoffs than we have recently. We can usually get to the first round, but then we don’t play well so this season we’re focused on playing
As a junior in 2011, Brown was solid from his middle linebacker position posting 58 tackles (32 solo) while also racking up four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Even with that productivity, Brown is working against the fact that he measures in at just 5’10” and weighs in at 210 pounds as he knows he has to hit the camp circuit this spring and summer to show schools and scouts what he can do.
“My school is hosting a Barton Combine on the 29th (of April) and I’m definitely going to take part in that,” Brown said. “My team goes to the Oregon State camp, so I’ll be down there and then UPS (University of Puget Sound) also has a camp and I’ll be at that too.
“Other than that, I’m looking at going to Eastern Washington’s camp, Washington State’s camp and probably Portland State’s camp too.”
When you watch Brown’s film, you see a player who “pulls the trigger” quickly recognizing formations and blocking schemes and then getting to the ball in a hurry. While he isn’t the fastest linebacker out there, his instincts allow him to play faster and he’s been working very hard this offseason to improve in that area as well.
“I’m really working hard on my footwork and my speed,” Brown said. “This is my last year so I want to help lead our team as far as I can and I know I have to be the best I can be.”
We will continue to keep track of Brown in the coming weeks and months as he gets further along in the recruiting process as we will update news as it happens with him.
