#124 - 4th Round - Baltimore, Jason Brown, C, NORTH CAROLINA

[Hostile]

Ravens select...Jason Brown
C | (6'2", 313, 5.58) | NORTH CAROLINA

[Juke99]

Strengths: Is a massive OC/OG prospect. Has very good overall strength Has great bulk and is an absolute mauler in the running game. Has a wide base, powerful hand punch and overwhelming lower body strength. When he locks on in the running game it's over. He drives through DL and gets a great push as a run blocker. He can handle the bull rush and matches up well vs. massive two-gap NTs. He also is very aware in pass pro. Has decent quickness in his pass pro set and plays with balance. Has some versatility; has experience at OG and could play there in the NFL. Also contributed in short-yardage situations on UNC's defense as a DT.

Weaknesses: His biggest weakness is his lack of athletic ability. He has decent short-area quickness and has learned to make up for what he lacks in mobility with good technique and angles, but his lack of speed and agility will be more of a problem in the NFL. He does not run well and will have a much more difficult time reaching the second level and hitting the moving target in the NFL. He also has adequate short-area skills in pass pro, but the more space he's required to cover the less effective he will be. Has had some minor injury problems in his career, including 2003 leg injury vs. Wisconsin.

Overall: Brown switched from tackle to center in 2002 and started all 12 games at the position as a sophomore. He has been a fulltime starter since and has shown a lot of toughness playing through minor injuries while also improving in each of the last two seasons (2003-'04). Brown is an absolute monster in the weight room and has set numerous records for squats, bench press and power cleans at UNC. Brown has decent short-area quickness. He has improved in terms of his angles as a run blocker and feet in pass protection. However, Brown is not a great athlete and he lacks ideal mobility for a center. While Brown could get a chance to play center in the NFL, we feel his best fit will be at guard. Regardless, he has size and strength that cannot be taught, and he continues to improve with experience. As a result, Brown projects as a third round draft selection in 2005.

* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Juke99]

Jason Brown, OC, North Carolina
Height: 6:02.6 Weight: 313

Overview: One of the most powerful players in college football, Jason holds the school's records in the squat (775 pounds), power clean (419) and three-lift (bench, squat, power clean). The unquestioned leader of the Tar Heels offense, Brown has been a dominating force in the middle of the field, registering 270 knockdown blocks during his last two seasons. Brown was a two-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle at Northern Vance High School. He was a two-time North Conference 2-A Lineman of the Year and a member of Tom Lemming's All-Mid Atlantic Coast Team. He averaged four pancake blocks a game as the team rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his junior and senior seasons. Jason also recorded 73 tackles on defense. He was voted offensive captain of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team. Brown also excelled in track, twice winning the state discus title. He attended Governor's School, was a National Honor Society member and ranked among the top ten in his academic class. He joined UNC as a true freshman, seeing eight games of action with three starting assignments (vs. East Carolina, Virginia, Clemson) at offensive tackle in 2001. He moved to center the following year, appearing in 896 snaps while grading over 80% for blocking consistency as he allowed only two sacks that year. Despite the team's offensive struggles in 2003, he did not allow a sack and appeared in 818 snaps, missing only two plays vs. Wisconsin due to a knee sprain. He played with a "heavy heart" in 2003, after his brother was killed during military operations in Iraq. Dedicated to the team, he rushed home to attend the funeral, but was back with the squad in time to play in their next game (vs. North Carolina State). In 2004, Brown played at an All-American level, registering 142 knockdown blocks as he did not allow a quarterback sack on 701 plays.

Analysis: Positives... Has a big frame with a barrel chest, thick arms, big bubble, quadriceps and calves. ... His lower frame is much thicker than his upper body, but he does a nice job of playing on his feet and maintaining balance. ... Shows good body control with some quickness to get off the snap. ... Even for a player of his girth, he can bend his knees and play at a good pad level to prevent defenders from attacking his feet. ... Gets a good leg base and generates tremendous power behind his hand punch. ... His legs are very thick, but he can still get enough explosion out of his stance and into the defender. ... Regarded as a very hard worker in the weight room and practices. ... Owns the school records in the squat (775 pounds) and power clean (419). ... Also holds the position record in the broad jump (8'11"). ... Explosive and powerful enough to sustain blocks. ... When he stays low in his pads, he can gain advantage. ... Shows consistency playing over his feet and under control when sliding in pass protection. ... Even without top-end speed, he does a good job of getting out on the edge, where he can impact, run and seal off. ... Has good natural balance, which allows him to play with his feet underneath him in pass protection. ... When he gets position on his man, he will sustain and finish. ... His strong leg base and arm strength keeps the defenses constantly aware of his abilities. ... Even though he does not have great speed, he will flash aggression with his hands into the defensive tackle and has more than enough pop and strength to consistently put his opponents on their backs. ... Exhibits sudden force with his hand punch. ... Has the tenacity to take on stunts and gets good movement off the snap in short yardage situations and goal line stands. ... Shows a good set and a powerful punch to stop the pass rush charge.

Negatives... Has had weight control issues and considering that his frame is past maximum growth potential, any additional weight will affect his mobility. ... Best working in the trenches, as he does not have the top-end speed to cause damage working into the second level. ... Can pull and adjust in the second level, but labors to get into gear as he is heavy-footed. ... His problem arises when he starts to lose his stamina late in games, as he will revert to leaning and pushing rather than gaining position. ... While he added over twenty pounds to his frame prior to 2003, he worked hard in the 2004 offseason to keep his weight in check, but needs to play in the 310-315 range to be effective. ... Has marginal foot speed to slide and adjust, relying more on his hand placement to mirror the pass defender's moves. ... Generates a good burst coming off the ball and shows good hip snap and aggression blocking on the move, but his poor foot speed prevents him from getting good position upfield and he struggles quite a bit to get in front on traps and pulls. ... Shows good hand usage to position and cut off the blitzing linebackers, but he does not have the change of direction agility to redirect when beaten by counter moves.

Agility tests: COMBINE: 5.40 seconds in 40-yard dash. ... 23 reps at 225 pounds. ... 30 1/2 vertical jump. ... 8'9" broad jump. ... 4.52 shuttle. ... 7.72 three-cone drill. ... 32 Wonderlic score.

High school: Attended Northern Vance (Henderson, N.C.) High School, playing football for coach Randy Long...Two-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle...Two-time North Conference 2-A Lineman of the Year and a member of Tom Lemming's All-Mid Atlantic Coast Team...He averaged four pancake blocks a game as the team rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his junior and senior seasons...Also recorded 73 tackles on defense...Voted offensive captain of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team...Also excelled in track, twice winning the state discus title...Attended Governor's School, was a National Honor Society member and ranked among the top ten in his academic class.

Personal: Communications major...He and his wife, Tay, were married July 25, 2003...Hobbies included collecting coins and singing...Born J.W. Jason Brown on 5/05/83 in Henderson, North Carolina.

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