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Penn State Football 2018 Player Profile: Cam Brown

By Collin Wieder

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Justin Davis #22 of the USC Trojans runs the ball against linebacker Cameron Brown #31 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Justin Davis #22 of the USC Trojans runs the ball against linebacker Cameron Brown #31 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Cameron Brown heads into the biggest year of his career. Penn State football’s linebacking corp needs Brown to fill in a starting role.

One of the highly touted recruits in the class of 2016 for Penn State football takes over a starting linebacker spot this fall. Cameron Brown, a four-star recruit and crazy athletic linebacker, brings an even faster edge to the Nittany Lions’ defense. I spoke on his move into the starting lineup this year after spending two years as a contributor. I believe Brown is more than prepared to take the role. For the last two years, he racked up 64 tackles in a reserve role filling in whenever the Nittany Lions needed him

Now that they need him in a full-time role, he should deliver. Few backups get as many snaps as he has over the last two seasons. He played in 24 of a possible 27 games including the bowl games against USC and Washington. Brown made six total tackles between the two games and proved he could play with the big boys.

It helps that he is by far the linebacker with the most range on the team. At 6-foot-5, 222 pounds, he looks like a prototypical wide receiver, which is a position he actually played in high school. Don’t let his frame fool you. Brown delivers the pain gets to the ball quickly. His frame allows him to cover sideline-to-sideline the way a 4-3 linebacker should.

In addition to his brilliant run-stuffing ability, he takes solid pursuit angles in the passing game. When a running back goes out for a route, he usually sifts through traffic and snuffs out the play. Short-range passes don’t usually breakout for big gains in front of him. That’s a major plus for Penn State.

Playing as a true freshman and succeeding does not happen with most college players. A special talent can only do that early in their career with no redshirt season to get to sit and soak up everything.

Furthermore, his skills go beyond just defense. He’s a scary special teamer for opposing teams due to his size. He blocked a punt against Ohio State in 2016 which ultimately led to Penn State’s season-changing win. In addition, he can contribute on kickoffs and punts, making a few tackles.

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Penn State’s linebacking corp doesn’t need to worry about losing two starters this offseason. Brown will make the most of his starting opportunity.

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