Hanahan's Chris Brown signs with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent

Former Hanahan High School football star Chris Brown matriculated to the University of Notre Dame four years ago because of the school’s academics and athletics.

This week is a microcosm of his stay in South Bend. He was scheduled to take his final class on Wednesday and then head to Dallas this weekend for the Cowboy’s mini-camp.

Brown wasn’t selected when the NFL held its annual draft in Chicago over the weekend, but his dream of playing in the league is still alive. He was a priority free agent signing for the Cowboys, who are looking for all the right pieces of the puzzle in their bid to return to postseason action.

He was overshadowed by another Notre Dame receiver, Will Fuller, during his senior season. Fuller ended up in Houston and Brown’s in the “Big D.”

“I didn’t get my name called, but it was still a good experience,” Brown said of the draft. “It was good to see my teammates go off the board.”

Brown had a solid senior season for the Fighting Irish, as the 6-2, 194-pounder caught 48 passes for 597 yards and four TDs.

Brown tallied 104 receptions for 1,410 yards and six touchdowns in four years for the Fighting Irish. He was considered a hidden gem by some draft observers and now plans to make the most of his chances for Jerry Jones’ Cowboys.

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Brown, who was a track and field All-American at Hanahan in addition to being one of the top receivers in the Palmetto State. “It’s one of the best opportunities – to play for ‘America’s team.’”

Brown’s journey from Notre Dame to Dallas included several trips to Chicago to get ready for the scouts in a lead up to the draft. He added more than 10 pounds to his frame and still remained blazing fast, turning in a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash during Notre Dame’s pro day.

“I made the decision to come to Notre Dame for academics and for football,” said Brown, who will graduate from Notre Dame later this month with a degree in African American studies. “I think I was able to make the most of my time here, and it set me up for my dream of going to the NFL and having a degree from Notre Dame. It was a good decision, and it’s paying dividends for me now.”

Brown said attending Notre Dame helped him mature.

“It definitely helped me grown up,” he said. “Notre Dame is a special place. The Notre Dame alumni in Dallas have already reached out to me. That’s a good feeling.”

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