ATHENS – By definition, a five-star recruit is expected to come into a major college football program and have an immediate impact. Marlon Brown was a five-star prospect, and he's expected to make an impact for Georgia. If and when he does it will be anything but immediate.
Brown, a junior wide receiver from Memphis, signed with the Bulldogs to much fanfare in 2009. A consensus high school All-America selection, he was ranked as the No. 2 wide receiver in the country by Scout.com and the No. 1 prospect in Tennessee by anybody who compiled a set of rankings. Georgia's successful recruitment of the rangy receiver over the in-state Vols was considered a coup in recruiting circles and he was quickly labeled the "heir apparent" to A.J. Green.
Brown played as a freshman for the Bulldogs, but it was only a bit part; he appeared in eight games, primarily on special teams, and finished with two catches for 15 yards.
Fast forward two years later, and Brown sits atop the depth chart and leads the team in expectations. By all accounts, he has made more noise than any other receiver in the Bulldogs' preseason camp.
"If I had to name one receiver who's probably had the best camp, it's him," quarterback Aaron Murray said of Brown. "His confidence right now is at an all-time high. And he knows what he's doing. He's done a great job between spring and summer and he's probably done the best of any receiver so far."
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo echoed Murray's observation.
“I am really, really pleased with how Marlon has played,” Bobo said. “He’s in great condition, he’s more flexible, he’s running harder, he’s in shape and he’s making the kind of catches, both over the middle and on the outside, that you want to see.”
Brown has always had the physical attributes. He arrived at a shade under 6-foot-5 and weighed in at 205 pounds. Now he's a legitimate 6-5, has beefed up to 225 pounds and is fitting in nicely at the "X" receiver position ably manned by Kris Durham last season.
The real difference in Brown is understanding the idiosyncrasies of the wide receiver position in a pro-style offense. It's not just lining up and running a square in or post or blocking down on the outside linebacker, as it was in high school; it's recognizing whether the defense is in man or zone coverage, how much cushion the defensive back is allowing to determine the route and changing responsibilities with the subtle sound of an audible from the quarterback.
At one point, it was overwhelming for Brown.
"It's a lot different now," he said. "I get in the game, we call a play, I run it, simple as that. My freshman year there was always a lot running through my head: ‘What do I do if this happens, what if that happens.' It's just a process, man."
Brown gained nearly 1,800 all-purpose yards as a high school senior and everyone wanted to sign him out of Harding Academy, the Tennessee Vols chief among them. But the small Christian school did little to prepare him for the X-and-O realities of college ball.
"I came in a little slow my freshman year," Brown said. "The following year I improved, got some more catches and now I feel comfortable. I feel more flexible running routes. The game has slowed down tremendously."
Had Brown not come in tagged as "a blue-chip recruit," his progress would seem normal and steady. He had 11 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown last season when A.J. Green, Tavarres King and Durham caught the majority of balls to the wideouts.
As the undisputed starter at split end, Brown is expected to progress. No one is more anxious to make an impact than Brown himself.
"A.J.’s gone and Durham is gone, so I have to be dependable to my team and the coaching staff,” Brown said. "I came out with the mindset that it’s my year. I’ve been patient. I’ve waited my time.”
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