Chris Brown to play in the East-West Shrine Game in advance of the NFL draft
He’s a team leader, so Chris Brown found little solace in scoring a touchdown in a losing effort against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, a game that featured two of college football’s marquee programs.
The former Hanahan High School two-sport star would have rather celebrated the victory, said farewell to his teammates of four years. Yes, Brown wanted a different ending, but he’s not looking back as he takes the next step in his career, a potential date in the upcoming NFL draft.
“It hurts when you lose, it always does,” Brown said. “But it is obviously a good way to go out. You want to win, but scoring a touchdown in a New Year’s Day bowl against a team like Ohio State on a big stage is something I will remember.”
Brown caught a 4-yard TD pass to cut the Ohio State lead to 28-21. But the Buckeyes weren’t to be denied as they posted a 44-28 victory. It was a season of what might have been for both teams. Sports Illustrated picked the teams to play in one of the national semifinals. But OSU had quarterback problems all year while the Irish had an incredible run of injuries.
Brown finished the season as the Fighting Irish’s No. 2 receiver this season. He entered the 2015 campaign with 56 career catches for 813 yards and two TDs. He caught 48 passes his senior year for 597 yards and four scores.
He was one of two Notre Dame players selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game, which is scheduled for Jan. 23 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“It’s a great opportunity,” said Brown, who also exceled in track and field at Hanahan. “My senior season I was considered one of the top wide receivers in the state, but I was injured and didn’t have the numbers to play in the North-South Game or the Shrine Bowl. It’s a blessing. I am looking forward to see how I fare against good competition. But at Notre Dame, I always faced good competition.”
Brown will get one more chance to showcase his talent before the NFL draft. The week of practices leading up to the all-star game are just as important because scouts will be in attendance all week, getting a chance to see the prospects in a one-on-one situation.
Brown is slated to graduate on time and his classes for spring semester are on Mondays and Wednesdays. That gives him ample time to travel from South Bend to Chicago for intense training for the NFL combine.
He is projected to be a fifth or sixth-round selection. But one practice, one game or one workout can changes a player’s stock in a second. That’s why academics were the big reason Brown selected Notre Dame on National Signing Day 2012.
“I was put in a great situation,” Brown said. “Coming from the Charleston area, I was able to meet people from all over the United States, from Texas, Rhode Island, Miami and Boston. It allowed me to grow, to adapt to situations.”