STARKVILLE – Ryan Brown’s main position while growing up in Louisiana was running back.
The Mississippi State senior loved the offensive position because he could brag about the number of touchdowns he scored. He moved to the defensive side of the ball when he entered the eighth grade and started playing linebacker. But his heart was broken when he began his sophomore season at Archbishop Shaw High School in New Orleans. He was moved to defensive line.
“I just knew I was going to be a linebacker,” Brown said. “I loved linebacker. I liked hitting people.”
Brown finished his high school career at defensive end and had a pretty good senior year with 39 total tackles (8.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
Even though he blossomed in the new position, Brown didn’t make the move from linebacker to defensive line without a fight.
“I said, ‘I don’t want to play that, I just want to hit people,'” Brown said.
The defensive end position came natural to Brown. He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 266 pounds. He was a little skinnier in high school, but the height has always been there for Brown. It was a perfect fit at defensive end and he calls his physical attributes a blessing.
He even credits his time at linebacker as a big help for his quick transition to defensive line. He said the main thing he took from linebacker to defensive end was awareness.
“It was kind of hard at first, but I grew into it,” Brown said. “A lot of people that play defensive line focus on people in front of them and not ready to drive and cover stuff. I think that’s an advantage for me.”
Brown came to MSU 2012 and saw playing time immediately. He played in the season opener against Jackson State and recorded four total tackles in his Bulldog debut.
During his three-year career, Brown has amassed 67 total tackles (10.5 for loss), five sacks and two pass breakups. His best season came last year as a junior, as Brown had 12 starts, totaled 39 tackles (seven for loss) and 3.5 sacks.
He is the only returning starter and only senior on the defensive line.
“He’s going to try to do it exactly the way you tell him,” defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “He’s a technician. He takes massive amounts of pride in his work. He’s a great role model for all of our younger guys on the team.”
Former Bulldog defensive end Preston Smith was taken by the Washington Redskins with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 National Football League Draft. He started at the other defensive end opposite Brown last season.
Smith had a big final season with the Bulldogs and left his mark on the program. Now it’s Brown’s turn.
“There is a lot of pressure on me, but I’m going to continue to do what I do,” Brown said. “What got me here is hard work and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Brown’s transformation to defensive line started in high school, but most of his schooling has come at MSU. Smith has been a big influence on Brown’s game and he watched his former teammate very closely to pick up on the things he did. Brown took one big thing away from Smith’s game and hopes to add it to his game this season.
“Everything doesn’t have to be done right then and there,” Brown said. “His (Smith) patience was key to all his big plays. He wasn’t in a big rush, but he always had a sense of urgency. It’s all about timing.”
Smith has drawn comparisons to Smith, mainly because of their body types. Smith is listed as an inch shorter than Brown at 6-foot-5, but is a little heavier at 271 pounds.
“They are a little bit different,” coach Dan Mullen said. “Ryan is probably a little bit stronger and maybe more technically sound. Preston had a lot of natural ability.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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