Penn State Football: Cam Brown anchors Nittany Lions

Penn State football leading tacklers Micah Parsons and Jan Johnson return but fourth-year letterman Cam Brown leads the linebackers in experience.

Fourth-year player and second-year starting linebacker Cam Brown returns for his senior year as Penn State football’s active leader in total tackles with 126. Despite his great production, he’s gone a bit unnoticed with the arrival of freshman phenom Micah Parsons and walk-on-turned-starter Jan Johnson. Parsons and Johnson combined to lead the team in tackles with a combined 154 stops in 2018, but it’s not like Brown hasn’t starred for the Nittany Lions in his time.

Brown came to Penn State as a four-star recruit and instantly received playing time. He played in 24 out of the team’s 27 games over 2016-2017. Although he never started a game, Brown rolled up 63 tackles and gave the defense a trustworthy linebacker to roll into the starting linebacker after the departures of Brandon Smith and Jason Cabinda.

Brown quietly logged career highs in total tackles (63), tackles for loss (6.5), sacks (2.0), passes defended (seven) and forced fumbles (three). The well-rounded, athletic backer made consistent plays in the run game, separated the ball from wide receivers through the air and brought solid pressure on blitzes. He does it all for the Nittany Lions on defense.

It helps that his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame can cover almost anywhere on the field. Most LBs don’t carry that much length, and it’s not a prototypical height. Linebackers are usually built more compactly, but he makes it work to his advantage. He can close down passing windows quicker than most and eliminate rushing angles for running backs to escape through.

While Parsons and Johnson added excitement to the defensive end because of their breakout seasons, Brown went quietly about his business racking up big play after big play on defense. He’s far from an unsung hero, just seems to be somewhat forgotten in all the other stars on this defense.

This year, he’ll be the reliable senior that continually comes up with big plays on defense. He’s seen more snaps than anyone else on the front seven and brings that veteran leadership that this defense needs with multiple returning starters leaving off last year’s defense.