The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Brown declares for NFL Draft
12.10.2020 | Football
Texas senior defensive back Chris Brown will forgo the Longhorns’ bowl game and his additional eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
Austin – Texas senior defensive back Chris Brown will forgo the Longhorns' bowl game and his additional eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft, he announced Thursday.
Statement from Chris Brown:
"With love in my heart I want to share with everyone that I've decided to start the process of pursuing my dream by preparing for the NFL Draft. After thorough conversation with both my family and coaches, it was a conclusion we came to that we know is in the best interest of my future. My experience at Texas has definitely been a rollercoaster, but it's a ride that has meant everything to me because throughout this process I've grown. I've grown as a student, an athlete, a teammate, and most importantly, as a man. I'm extremely grateful for all of the teachable experiences I've had along the way and have learned from, and my time here is something I'm always going to remember and cherish. I want to thank Coach Herman and Coach Ash for guiding me on this journey, and Coach Strong for giving me the opportunity to come here. I appreciate them and all of the coaches and staff members for everything they've done for me, but most importantly the relationships we've built. I also want to thank my teammates – my brothers. The only way I can describe our bond is incredible. It's been an incredible five years, and it's something that's going to last forever. It means so much to me that I've continued to grow as an athlete, while gaining their respect and becoming an entrusted leader of this team. We've developed relationships and unbreakable bonds that have only strengthened over time, and extend way beyond the game of football. Lastly, but most importantly, I want to thank my parents for being by my side and being the helping hand I've always depended on. I KNOW I've made them proud and can keep making them proud as I enter this next chapter. Longhorn Nation, I appreciate you all and please know that I'm going to be a Longhorn for life."
Brown, a team captain in 2020, logged 107 tackles (92 solo), six tackles for loss, one sack, broke up nine passes and intercepted three during his time on the Forty Acres. He recorded at least five tackles on 10 occasions in his career, most recently doing so with a career-high 12 tackles – all solo stops – against Kansas State last Saturday. The Houston native also recorded a pass breakup or interception in six of nine games this season, including in each of Texas' last four contests. Brown ranks fifth on the team with 47 tackles and is tied for the lead among the Longhorns with seven pass breakups this year. His breakout season at UT came in 2019, when Brown started 10 times, logged 46 tackles (37 solo), three tackles for loss, two pass breakups and one interception. Brown's 46 tackles were the fourth-most by a Longhorn last year, and his tally came despite missing three games due to injury.
