Brown brothers eager to contribute for Alcorn State this season

Published 12:00 am Monday, April 25, 2016

LORMAN — Playing football for Alcorn State University is a dream come true for Christian Brown.

“I can show you pictures of me in 1994,” Christian said. “I was 1 and (my parents) had me in a purple and gold jumpsuit. I’ve been an Alcorn fan from 1994 until present day.”

This fall, the Jefferson County High School product and Alcorn senior won’t be the only member of the Brown family donning the ASU colors. He will be joined by brothers Nicolas and Matthew Brown.

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Christian and Nicolas will patrol the Braves’ secondary, while Matthew, a fall 2016 enrollee, will work to contribute on Alcorn’s defensive line.

At Alcorn’s purple and gold spring game Saturday, Matthew got a glimpse of what he’ll jump into when he enrolls at Alcorn State.

“I’m just ready to get back and play football, especially with my brothers,” Matthew said.

The brothers’ love for Alcorn stems from their father, Michael, who is an alumnus of the Lorman-based campus.

“I’ve been waiting since little league baseball (for them to be on the same team), now to see them playing together is a blessing from God,“ Michael said.

Christian originally attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College after high school before transferring to Alcorn for the start of his junior season.

As for Nicolas, Alcorn was just one of three SWAC scholarship offers he had available, but Christian said there wasn’t much of his choice for his brother.

“Dad’s mind was pretty made up,” Christian said with a laugh.

Nicolas added, “I wanted to be close to home, too.”

Although Matthew doesn’t line up in the same position as his older brothers, he has benefited from training with them and developed a unique quickness for his position.

“He plays defensive tackle because he’s bigger,” Christian said. “But growing up around (defensive backs), he has nice footwork.”

This spring, Christian hit the practice fields under new defensive coordinator Cedric Thomas. Nicolas remains sidelined as he rehabs from a torn ACL, but said he expects to be ready for the start of the season, adding the time off has made him a better player.

“I have a different look now because I’m watching for my first spring,” Nicolas said. “I have the mindset of going out to coach.”

Christian served as an integral role for the Braves’ defense Saturday in the annual purple and gold spring game. Christian served as a member of the defensive unit that limited the Braves’ offense to just two touchdowns for the game.

“We played great,” Christian said. “For both sides to get just one touchdown (allowed) shows how strong our defense is.”

Head coach Fred McNair said both Christian and Nicolas have a chance to contribute and fill holes left by graduated seniors in the secondary this season.

“Their work ethic is very good, and both of them actually got a lot of playing time last year,” McNair said of the duo. “They have great personalities and take coaching well.”

McNair said before the season, his squad attends the church in Fayette at which Michael is a pastor. Between his three sons on scholarship at his alma mater and performing religious duties for the team, Michael said he cherishes his purple and gold spirit like a badge of honor.

“As long as (the boys play at) Alcorn, I feel great about it,” Michael said.