North Carolina 2018 Recruit Elijiah Brown Setting up to be Next Monster Defensive Lineman

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

In the best way possible to express the thought, the state of North Carolina is no stranger to producing mean, punishing, and all-around dominating defensive linemen. The 2016 class just unleashed Wake Forest High School 5-star Dexter Lawrence, heading to Clemson, along with defensive ends Josh Brown (Florida State), Julian Okwara (Notre Dame), and Nick Coe (Auburn). The 2017 class is lining up with some beasts in defensive end Jake Lawler (North Carolina) and defensive tackles Xach Gill, another Wake Forest product, Mallard Creek’s Grant Gibson, and Riverside’s Jordon Riley (North Carolina).

The next in the long line of next level defensive linemen sure to wreak havoc at the next level is Providence Day Class of 2018 rising star Elijiah Brown.

Brown just wrapped up his sophomore season but is already a two-year varsity starter for the Chargers. Providence Day head coach Adam Hastings from Day 1 saw the potential in Brown helping mold him into the exciting talent he has become today with unlimited potential. His sophomore numbers tell the story; 56 tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and an estimated 20 tackles for a loss.

If you get a chance to see Brown play, you will see the early beginnings of what could be the next fierce defensive end or defensive lineman coming up through the ranks. Listed at 6’4”, 260 pounds, he has the frame, motor, raw strength, and determination to play either position and be as good as he wants to be on the field.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Brown to talk about his high school career to date, learned a lot about his overall athleticism and strong work ethic, and got a recruiting news update.

Interview

Elijiah, I would be lying if I did not tell you I was excited about your highlight reel. From your freshman year to the end of your sophomore year, what were some of the areas in your game that got better?

“Things I started to do well were attacking off the ball instead of holding my guy up and using my speed and power to make plays. I really improved upon that from freshman season.”

You started varsity during your freshman season. How was that for you? Was that intimidating at first?

“My freshman year I had mixed emotions about playing varsity. I was the young guy stepping up to varsity, it was a little overwhelming at first. But I started to learn the game. I became more relaxed and then everything started coming to me faster.”

At this point in your early high school career, what do you do better, rush the passer or stop the run?

“It really depends on how I read it. If it’s a pass I’ll do all that I have to do to get the quarterback. If it is a run play I get after and stop it no matter what.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance in 2015?

“It was a pretty decent season. There were some things I left on the field I should have gotten to, but you learn from that. Overall I thought I had a pretty good season.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your sophomore season?

“Yeah, I was second team All-Conference and the team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.”

You show a lot of raw strength pushing linemen out of your way to get to the ball carrier or quarterback. Have you maxed out on bench or squat yet?

“No. This has really been my first year to lift seriously. I came in late last summer but I’m starting to build my bench and squat.”

Will your role on the team expand this year? Will we see you on the offensive line or switching it up playing more at defensive end than at tackle?

“Well, before my freshman season I was playing more defensive end than tackle. This year they moved me to the inside. Coach thought I’d be more effective inside. I played some tight end last year. I might get more reps there this year.”

What type of tight end are you? Are you a hand on the ground extra tackle on the outside or are you a threat in the passing game as well?

“I try to be diverse. I can do both. I’m working on my hands every day, run blocking comes natural to me.”

Have you ran a 40-yard dash recently?

“I have not ran it recently. The last time I ran a 4.9 but that was during my freshman year.”

What did you weigh then?

“I weighed 225 when I came in and late in the year I was at 240.”

You’re going to be a monster. I can only imagine what the food bill is each week to feed you. What are you doing in offseason workouts so far? You said you were building up your bench and squat, what else are you doing?

“I’m a basketball player as well so there is not that much time to work out. I have been working on my bench, shoulders, squats, lunges, and abs. All the main parts of the body.”

What improvement goals do you have for the offseason?

“My goals for the offseason is to try to get up to 270 by the end of the summer. I’m working on catching the ball better and working more on routes so I can be first or second option on offense.”

Okay, you at 270 pounds catching the ball at the second level will be a nightmare for linebackers and safeties.

(Laughs) “Yeah, well.”

You mentioned playing basketball. How is that going this season?

“It’s going good. Right now we are ranked in four national polls in the Top 25 (27-3). We are going for a state championship this week.”

Do you know your stat line on the court?

“It’s okay, nothing too big. I’m really more of a role player for one of our guys who is going to Tennessee (Grant Williams). I’m a bruiser, I block out and play defense.”

You’re a big guy, can you dunk?

“Yes.”

Have you poster-ized anyone this year?

(Laughs) “No, I haven’t poster-ized anyone yet. I’m more of a power dunker not a creative dunker.”

Back to football, which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“UNC Charlotte and Chapel Hill (North Carolina). I’ve been getting looks from other schools and a few letters from FSU (Florida State) but really the interest right now is mainly from those two schools.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Not yet. I’m taking some this year. I’m going to Chapel Hill, Duke, Clemson, South Carolina, and maybe N.C. State.”

Some of this may overlap, but are you going to any one-day college camps?

“I plan on going to Chapel Hill, I went there last year for a camp, and I plan on going to ECU (East Carolina), and the offensive/defensive lineman camp at South Carolina.”

Are you going to any exposure camps?

“I plan on doing the Nike SPARQ this year and I’m going to one of my coaches’ camps. Right now that is all I plan to go to.”

When you’ve talked to the different college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your emerging skill set?

“I’ve talked to a few coaches. I’ve met the UNCC coach once and I’ve talked to Wake Forest and South Carolina coaches, the one thing they say, they like my frame because I have room to grow and the size and use of my hands.”

Elijiah, you are already a busy man, but do you plan on playing any other sports for Providence Day?

“I’m thinking about doing field for track, but I’m on the fence about it. I’ll wait and see.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“There have been a couple of people. Coach Hastings, he’s been a big impact on me. Ever since I came to Providence Day he has pushed me to make me better. Another person is Coach Moore, he’s my new D-line coach. He’s helping me with my technique and teaching me to do things the right way. It’s been a big help.

“Eric Cal (Class of 2016 offensive lineman), he’s like the big brother I’ve never had. He’s always pushing me to go hard and teaching me to never stop. He’s really impacted me and my mindset about how I do things. I will miss him when he goes to Navy.”

Some classroom stuff to finish up. What is your favorite subject in school?

“Probably science. I’m real good at science, chemistry and physics comes easy to me.”

Least favorite subject?

“Probably English.”

Elijiah, good luck with the state championship this week and with all the visits you have coming up.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: providenceday.org; Providence Day football team.

Photo credit: providenceday.org; Providence Day basketball team.