Interview: 2018 South Carolina DT Kelijiha Brown is a Beast for Saluda

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When watching game tape, a dominating defensive tackle or nose guard is easy to spot. Quick signs of a next level guy in the trenches at the high school level is the interior offensive line on roller skates going backwards and the pocket collapsing in the middle forcing the quarterback to scramble if lucky enough to get away. Another hint is seeing a running back take a step after receiving the handoff with the play stopping right then and there.

When watching Kelijiha Brown’s game reel, he hits all the high points with a lot of upside left to add to his game.

Brown is not only physically mature beyond his years but is also way ahead of the mental aspect of the game. Playing in a base 3-4 defense for Saluda High School, Brown is not the stat monitoring player hoping to up his recruiting rankings with over the top numbers in key categories. Instead, the 6-2, 305 pound, line mover knows his job and does it well occupying linemen so his linebackers can come up to stuff the run or blitz the gaps getting the highlight reel sack on the opposition’s quarterback.

Saluda has benefitted from Brown’s presence up front posting a 10-3 mark in 2015 against South Carolina competition and are off to a 4-1 record this season. Play after play, Brown is aggressive off the snap taking on double-teams showing strength and a motor that never seems to end. The exceptional play is drawing in college coaches with offers handed out to the Class of 2018 prospect from East Carolina and South Carolina.

In a Recruiting News Guru interview, I wanted to learn more about the Palmetto State standout covering his skill set and his recruitment to date.

Interview

Kelijiha, you seem to play with that needed aggression on the field required of a nose guard/defensive tackle. How would you describe your play or mentality on the field play after play?

“My mentality is to beat the man in front of me every play. After four quarters, I want him to be done and not want to play anymore.”

What all did you work on this off-season to prepare for your junior year?

“I worked on my pass rushing, my motor, and things like that. I know I am capable of stopping the run. I wanted to get better as a pass rusher and not just be a run stopper.”

Did you max out this summer in the weight room?

“Yes, sir. My bench was 325. With squats – we don’t one rep for a max. We do a weight 10 times and add up the max. Doing that is better for your back and legs instead of putting up all that weight one time. My rep max was 680 pounds and my power clean 275.”

Impressive. What was the best 40-yard dash time you ran this summer?

“I ran a 4.9 during the summer at school.”

You mentioned you are good at stopping the run, what else do you do well on the field for Saluda?

“I’m good at taking up blocks. We are in a three-man front. The lineman’s job is to free the linebackers. If the linebackers have 20 tackles, we’ve done a good job. Establishing the line and being in the backfield a lot are other things I do well.”

What goals did you set for yourself for the 2016 football season?

“I’m not a big stat guy. I’m not about individual things. If team does better than last year and if we win state, I will be happy. I’m team first. If we reach our team goals the individual goals will come.”

Are you playing some offense this year?

“Yes, sir, sometimes at guard. I know all the spots on the offensive line and I know the offense. Sometimes I come in when we can’t move the ball. I come in to help us move the ball. We have a package called “Heavy”, that’s when we bring in more than the usual lineman.”

Are there any upcoming games you are excited to play?

“The game last Friday (Ninety Six, won 38-7) and the one before that (Batesburg-Leesville, won 29-26) got me excited. I was hyped about Ninety Six. We had not beaten them in 17 years. We ended that streak. We went down there and beat them. I am excited about all the games, but those two games got my adrenaline rushing.”

Which schools have offered you so far?

“ECU (East Carolina) and South Carolina.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Clemson, Florida, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest, those are the schools that are close to me talking a lot. Penn State, Navy, Notre Dame, Virginia, and N.C. State are in touch too.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges? What are they telling you they like about your game?

“They like my motor. They tell me they like that I have a knack for the game and like my love for the game. They like that I am a run stopper and a leader.”

Have you visited any schools so far this season?

“I went to ECU on Sept. 10 (N.C. State game). I was supposed to go to South Carolina on Sept. 17 but I went to Wake Forest instead. I’m going to South Carolina this weekend.”

How did your visit to Wake Forest go?

“It went good. I liked it a lot. I learned a lot about their academic program. I am a straight A’s student now but I know I will want more hands on help in college. The coaches told me that I will have more hands on help there from their staff when studying. They have more tutors setup for one-on-ones with the players there.”

What are you looking forward to with the South Carolina visit or what are you hoping to learn about the school?

“I just want to see the environment. I know about the South Carolina from being there over the summer and going on the tours then. I want to see how crazy the environment is there. ECU’s was crazy.”

Do you play any other sports for Saluda?

“Yes, sir. Last year I played basketball and ran track, I threw the shotput and discus. I’m not sure about this year. Football is my main focus.”

You mentioned you have a 4.0 GPA. Along with that, have you set up opportunities to take the SAT or ACT yet?

“I plan on taking both in October. The first one is on Oct. 10.”

Final question, what was the best or most exciting college football game you watched over the weekend?

“I watched a lot of games on Saturday. The Florida game was impressive. The way Tennessee came back to score 38 straight points to win. That goes to show that in college and in high school no game is won yet until three zeros go across the board in the fourth. You can’t let up until it is over.”

Kelijiha, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Brown family; Kelijiha Brown at East Carolina.

Photo credit: thestate.com; Kelijiha Brown (right) at a Saluda practice.

Photo credit: rivals.com; No. 71 Kelijiha Brown.