CHARLES BROWN
Offensive Tackle
University of Southern California Trojans
#71
6:05.2-292
Chino Hills, California
Diamond Ranch High School
OVERVIEW
The former prep standout tight end has not only grown in size, but also in stature since arriving on campus as a freshman. The two-year starter at the demanding left tackle position, his steady performances in the "trench wars" have many feeling that Brown could be on the cusp of greatness at the next level.
With his long wingspan, massive hands, powerful punch and ability to slide laterally, some experts are likening Brown's athletic talent to that of Philadelphia's Winston Justice, a former Trojan who developed into a solid pass protector and drive blocker for the Eagles in 2009. Others compare his athleticism to another former tight end-turned offensive tackle, Baylor's Jason Smith, the first round selection by the St. Louis Rams in 2009.
Brown attended Diamond Ranch High School, where he was two-way lineman and tight end. He was named to the 2004 Super Prep All-American squad, adding Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best of the Rest, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State, All-CIF Division VIII and Los Angeles Times All-San Gabriel Valley Lineman of the Year honors as a senior.
Brown was listed as the 23rd-best offensive tackle prospect, receiving a three-star rating from Rivals.com. Scout.com regarded him higher as a tight end prospect (10th in the prep ranks), according him four-star prospect status. In his final campaign, he caught fifteen passes for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also recorded 73 tackles (43 solos) with ten sacks, helping the Panthers compile a 9-3-1 record in his final season, as he also added All-Region, All-Mt. Balty League and All-Southern section accolades.
As a junior, Brown was named to All-League second-team while also earning All-Region recognition. He pulled down fourteen passes for 145 yards and a score, as he also made 41 tackles with four sacks and two fumble recoveries. As a sophomore, he was an All-League first-team pick.
Brown was heavily recruited by most West coast school, but ultimately decided to enroll at Southern California over Oregon and UCLA. He arrived on USC's campus as a 250-pound tight end, but quickly became a product of the university's renowned training room. After a year redshirting and concentrating on increasing his strength and bulk, he showed up for 2006 spring drills a solid 285 pounds. Still learning the art of blocking, he would spend that campaign performing mostly on the scout team, but did see brief action in four games at left tackle, serving as All-American Sam Baker's understudy.
Brown earned his first collegiate start at right tackle in the 2007 season opener vs. Idaho. He would perform in a total of nine games that year, primarily as a back-up at both tackle spots while also performing on special teams, recording a solo tackle vs. Nebraska. He missed the Arizona clash after suffering an ankle sprain in practice leading up to that game and would also miss three other contests before he fully recovered.
With Sam Baker having graduated, Brown was shifted to left offensive tackle in 2008, earning All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention. With 93 knockdowns and fifteen touch-down-resulting blocks to show for his performance, the Trojans went on to rank 11th in the nation in total offense (454.69 ypg), as the front wall led the Pac-10 in fewest quarterback sacks allowed (1.38 spg).
Brown's game continued to develop in 2009. Despite struggles with a new quarterback and injuries on the offensive line, he emerged as an All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team selection. The recipient of the Morris Trophy, given to the league's top blocker, he posted a league-best 87.46% grade for blocking consistency, pacing the Trojans with 100 knockdowns while his fifteen touchdown-resulting blocks also led the league ranks.
CAREER NOTES
Brown started all 26 games at left tackle during his final two seasons, earning his first career starting assignment as a right tackle vs. Idaho in 2007…In his two seasons on the left side, Brown registered 192 knockdowns with 28 touchdown-resulting blocks and thirteen downfield blocks…Was penalized just three times on 1,810 offensive snaps and allowed only five quarterback sacks with no pressures on 851 pass plays.
2009 SEASON
All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report and The Sporting News…All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice…Became the 14th Trojans to be named the recipient of the Morris Trophy, a unique award given to the outstanding offensive and defensive linemen in the Pacific-10 Conference. What makes the award unique is the selection procedure, which has the starting offensive linemen in the Conference voting for the defensive winner and vice versa. The Morris Trophy is sponsored by the Washington Athletic Club and Athletic Awards of Seattle. It was created by Traci (Morris) Drake in 1980 and named after her father, G. Patrick Morris, who was its sponsor for 29 years…Started all thirteen games at left offensive tackle, leading the team with 100 knockdowns, as his fifteen touchdown-resulting blocks and blocking consistency grade of 87.46% led the league's down linemen…Allowed just two quarterback sacks on 463 pass plays and was penalized twice on 919 offensive snaps…Graded 90% or better in five contests and had at least eight knockdowns in eight games…Also recovered a fumble vs. Washington.
2008 SEASON
All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention in his first full season as a starter, taking over left tackle chores for a departed Sam Baker…Graded 83.54% for blocking consistency, delivering 92 knockdowns along with thirteen touchdown-resulting blocks and five down-field blocks, as the Trojans ranked 11th in the nation in total offense (454.69 ypg) and led the Pac-10 in passing (259.85 ypg)…Penalized just once on 891 offensive snaps and was charged with three quarterback sacks on 388 pass plays…Also recorded solo tackle vs. Notre Dame.
2007 SEASON
Brown appeared in nine games as a reserve offensive tackle …Earned his first career start in the season opener vs. Idaho, lining up at right offensive tackle…Also performed on the special team units.
2006 SEASON
Brown spent most of the season as an understudy to Sam Baker at left offensive tackle, but saw just brief action on the offensive line vs. Arkansas, Stanford, Oregon and UCLA…Played in all thirteen contests with the special team units.
2005 SEASON
Brown redshirted as a freshman tight end…Was later switched to offensive tackle in the middle of the season.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
5.16 in the 40-yard dash…1.79 10-yard dash…2.89 20-yard dash…4.64 20-yard shuttle…7.22 three-cone drill…30.5-inch vertical jump…8'7" broad jump…Bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Diamond Ranch (Chino Hills, Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach Tom Leach…Competed as a two-way lineman and tight end…Named to the 2004 Super Prep All-American squad, adding Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best of the Rest, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State, All-CIF Division VIII and Los Angeles Times All-San Gabriel Valley Lineman of the Year honors as a senior…Listed as the 23rd-best offensive tackle prospect, receiving a three-star rating from Rivals.com…Scout.com regarded him higher as a tight end prospect (10th in the prep ranks), according him four-star prospect status…In his final campaign, he caught fifteen passes for 250 yards and a pair of touch-downs…Also recorded 73 tackles (43 solos) with ten sacks, helping the Panthers compile a 9-3-1 record in his final season, as he also added All-Region, All-Mt. Balty League and All-Southern section accolades…As a junior, Brown was named to All-League second-team while also earning All-Region recognition…Pulled down fourteen passes for 145 yards and a score, as he also made 41 tackles with four sacks and two fumble recoveries that campaign…As a sophomore, he was an All-League first-team pick.
PERSONAL
Social Science Psychology major…Born 4/10/87 in Chino Hills, California.
