From Underdog to Team Captain: Maryland Quarterback C.J. Brown

Last September, Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown stood on the sidelines and watched preseason All-ACC Selection Danny O’Brien, a redshirt sophomore at the time, star in a nationally televised victory over the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Not many people would have predicted that Brown would be leading the Maryland Terps from behind center as a redshirt junior. With O’Brien having transferred to Wisconsin, there is no question as to who will lead the Terrapins’ offense in 2012—C.J. Brown.

In 2011, Brown held his own against incumbent O’Brien.  Following a rocky start for Danny O’Brien, C.J. Brown was gradually inserted into the lineup.

He had a coming out party against #13 Georgia Tech, in which he nearly led Maryland to victory. In the 21-16 loss, he rushed for 124 yards in just three quarters of play. Brown went on to start 5 games and rush for more than 100 yards against Wake Forest (110) and Clemson (162).

As was the case for most every Maryland game last season with the exception of Miami and Towson, Brown did not earn a victory as a starter.

This was, impart, due to his mediocre passing numbers as well as the introduction of a new offensive coordinator in 2011. To Brown’s credit, he grew more comfortable in the pocket as the season progressed. He completed 20 of 42 passes for 186 yards in a November loss against Wake Forest.

Although Brown will again have to adjust to a new offensive coordinator in 2012 (Mike Locksley), he has the potential to make the Terps competitive.

At 6’3, 205 pounds, C.J. Brown is a presence in the pocket. Further, Mike Locksley, who worked with dual-threat quarterback Juice Williams at Illinois, will be game-planning around Brown’s strengths. O’Brien and Brown split snaps frequently in 2011.

With the responsibilities of team captain this fall, Brown is currently on campus taking courses, working as a marketing intern at Maryland’s Comcast Center, and partaking in off-season workouts and “players-only” practices.

The Pennsylvania native also has excelled off of the field as a communications major and in community service endeavors, including a recent gathering in support of high school students with intellectual disabilities.

C.J. Brown will have an opportunity to demonstrate continued growth and improvement at quarterback, but the question remains: Will C.J. Brown’s development result in W’s in College Park this fall?