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Courtesy of Draft Guys
Andre Brown (North Carolina State – 4SR) 6’0” 224 Combine Invite: Yes While 4JR Toney Baker missed the season with complications from a blown right knee in the 2007 season opener, Brown still shared carries in the backfield. Brown split carries with 4JR Jamelle Eugene, who stepped up when both Brown and Baker were out in 2007, and 2SO Curtis Underwood for the first three games, while Eugene was out with an ankle injury. In addition, mobile redshirt freshman QB Russell Wilson was second on the team in carries and rushing yards. Brown had his first, and only, 100-yard rushing game in a surprising shutout at South Carolina to open the season. Brown had 101 rushing yards out of the team’s total 138 yards of offense in the game. His marquee drive for the season would come in overtime against Top-15 East Carolina. Brown hurdled one defender on a 16-yard run and ran over another on a 10-yard TD run to win the game on the next play. He would average 13.5 carries per game over the season and only get 20 carries, exactly 20, in one other game. He finished the season with career highs across the board of 175 carries, 767 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs, 29 receptions, 309 receiving yards, and 2 receiving TDs. Potential won out over underwhelming production and Brown was invited to run for the South in the Senior Bowl. He took advantage of his opportunity, exceeding expectations in practice as an interior runner, with his acceleration, and in the passing game, both as a receiver and blocker. Brown started for the South in the game and had a nice one-yard TD run late in the second quarter after James Davis failed to get in. Brown finished with 32 yards on a game-high ten carries. He also caught two passes for 41 yards, including a 33-yard reception.
While he doesn’t have elite speed, Brown is an appealing size/speed package and explosive runner. He has ideal size and build with good athleticism. He is a bruising north-south runner who can find another gear in the open field, but runs a bit high. Consistency and durability are huge question marks. A foot injury cost him time in 2007 and he has a history of inconsistency, usually related to a seemingly minor injury (for example, he removed himself for the Clemson game in 2006 because of a neck strain), that raise questions. He is an asset as a blocker, one of the best in the class at picking up the blitz, and helped himself by getting involved as a receiver this past season. He has experience as a kick returner, but was used sporadically in the role. Brown is a project who has the measurables and potential to be a punishing workhorse at the next level, but significant reason to doubt he can consistently perform if he reaches that level. As a guy who will be picked more based on his unrealized (so far) potential, he has a lot riding on his Combine performance.
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