Jarrett Brown, QB

West Virginia turned the reins of its offense over to Jarrett Brown in 2009, as he was the Mountaineers' first pro-style quarterback to step behind center since Marc Bulger (1996-99).

The Mountaineers have utilized Rasheed Marshall and Patrick White at quarterback since Bulger graduated, but both were spread-option running types rather than those that relied on their arms to get the job done. As a senior, Brown became the first WVU quarterback to throw for over 2,000 yards in a season (2,144) since Bulger accomplished that feat in 1998.

Brown patiently waited for his opportunity, spending his first three seasons seeing limited action while White took most of the snaps. Through his first 25 games, Brown had attempted just 125 passes, completing 81 of those throws. In his only year as a starter, he accumulated 2,144 of his 2,983 aerial yards at WVU.

Brown also showed that he could give Mountaineers faithful some of what they had become accustomed to from their quarterbacks -- the ability to tuck and run with the ball, when needed. His 466 yards rushing in 2009 was the second-highest total on the team last year, as he was responsible for 17 touchdowns while finishing third in the Big East Conference in total offense, averaging 200.77 yards per game.

The senior passer compiled an 11-4 record as a starter at West Virginia, going 2-0 in a pair of starts earlier in his career as a replacement in the lineup when White was injured. In games where he has thrown at least one pass, WVU produced a 23-6 record. He proved that he had the arm strength to stretch the field in 2009, as he completed 29 pass plays for at least 20 yards, including twelve that went for 30 yards or longer.

Brown earned All-State honors at Palm Beach Lakes High. The Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year threw for 1,800 yards, 18 touchdowns and gained 485 yards rushing for the Rams, helping them compile an 8-2 record and reach the state quarterfinals in 2004. He was a Lou Groza Prep Player of the Year Finalist and a member of the Rivals.com Florida Top 100 team. That recruiting service also gave him a three-star rating as a dual-threat quarter-back (ranked 12th in the nation at that position).

On the gridiron, Brown amassed more than 7,100 yards and 73 touchdowns passing during his prep days. He also lettered four times in basketball, as his team compiled a 100-21 record while he was on the varsity. He led the Rams to the Class 6-A state finals as a senior. That year, he averaged 11.4 points per game and shot 44.2 percent from 3-point range, closing out his career as a member of the school's 1,000-point club.

Brown received scholarship offers from Central Florida, Iowa, Minnesota and North Carolina State, but decided to accept an offer from West Virginia. He spent the 2005 season redshirting on the scout team. He appeared in six games behind Patrick White in 2006, completing 28-of-47 passes (59.87 percent) for 384 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored three times on the ground, gaining 176 yards on 32 carries (5.5 yards per carry). In his college debut, he scored on a seven-yard quarterback keeper vs. Marshall. When White was unable to play in the regular season final, Brown stepped in and gained 317 yards in total offense in a 41-39 triumph over Rutgers.

Brown handled "mop up" duty as a sophomore. He appeared in 10 games, but managed to gain only 341 yards on 31-of-48 passes (64.58%) with a pair of touchdowns. He added 327 yards on 49 carries (6.67 yards per carry), scoring three times on the ground. After the football season, he played basketball for the Mountaineers and scored 13 points in as many games.

In 2008, the junior started vs. Syracuse and competed in nine games. He hit on 22-of-30 tosses (73.33 percent) for 114 yards and a touchdown, generating 169 yards with a score on 36 runs. Brown and White alternated as the quarterback during the Rutgers game, with Brown being utilized often in short-yardage situations.

White was eventually knocked out of that game with an injury, and Brown replaced him for the remainder of the game, leading West Virginia to a 24-17 victory.

Brown took over for Patrick White in 2009, starting all 13 games. The second-team All-Big East Conference selection did not "set the world on fire" during his starting opportunity, as he missed most of the Marshall contest after getting knocked out of the contest when he was sandwiched between a pair of players on a bootleg. A left ankle sprain just before halftime vs. Florida State forced the senior to miss the rest of the 2010 Gator Bowl.

Brown finished his final year by completing 187-of-296 passes (63.18%) that included 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His 2,144 yards passing rank sixth on the school season-record list. He ranked second on the team with 117 carries for 466 yards (10th-best season total by a WVU quarterback), scoring six times. His 2,610 yards in total offense rank seventh on the Mountaineers' single-season chart.

Accuracy: Needs work to make all of his throws on time and on the numbers. Has thrown accurately down the seam at times, but many of his completions are swing passes or other short patterns. Tends to throw low, preventing his receivers from making plays after the catch. Doesn't get deep throws over the outside shoulder.

Arm Strength: Very good arm strength, and can make all of the NFL throws. Able to throw a rope across the field or let it loose downfield. Ball doesn't always come out of his hand clean, however, wobbling and taking away some of its zip. Downfield throws float when he tries to lob them in instead of maintaining trajectory.

Setup/Release: Stands poised and tall in the pocket, holding the ball at shoulder height and releasing it high. Usually in shotgun formation, and must learn to take snaps from center and drop back. Smooth footwork in the pocket; able to step up to create space. Good quickness on his release. Strong enough to unload when in the grasp of a defender.

Reading Defenses: Decision-making improved in 2009, but he relies too much on his arm strength to squeeze passes into tight coverage and puts up prayers downfield instead of throwing the ball away. Poised in the pocket but is more of a reactive playmaker than reader of defenses who goes through progressions or searches out and takes advantage of match-ups.

On the Move: Makes nice touch throws on the run, even 30 or more yards downfield. Keeps his shoulders square, and has good zip on the ball when running to his right. Will also take chances on the edge, relying on his athleticism and arm strength to squeeze balls into tight spaces. Excellent mobility inside and out of the pocket; able to avoid oncoming defenders in the pocket and scramble for well more than a first down. Has some elusiveness in the open field, and is able to cut back to avoid tackles and get to the sideline. Has a strong stiff-arm in space. Tough runner in goal-line situations with the size and power to convert short-yardage plays. Needs to keep his eyes downfield once pressured instead of tucking and running.

Intangibles: Tough player who doesn't rattle easily; willing to take hits or give them out when he leaves the pocket. Teammates bought into his ability early despite his lack of playing time entering last season. Earned his diploma.

NFL Comparison: Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings

Brown started 15-of-38 games in which he played, compiling an 11-4 record as a starter … Gained 2,943 yards on 268-of-421 passes (63.66 percent) with 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions … Rushed for 1,138 yards with 13 touchdowns on 234 carries (4.86 yards per carry) … Generated 4,121 yards in total offense, averaging 108.45 yards per game … His 1,138 yards on the ground rank fourth on the school single-season record list for quarterbacks, topped by Patrick White (4,480 yards, 2005-08), Major Harris (2,161, 1987-89) and Rasheed Marshall (2,040, 2001-02) … His pass-efficiency rating of 129.54 is the seventh-best career rating by a Mountaineers quarterback … Completed 63.66% of his pass attempts, second in school history behind White's pass completion percentage of 64.8 … Threw for 2,144 yards in 2009, the first time a WVU quarterback generated over 2,000 aerial yards in a season since Marc Bulger in 1998 … His 2,144 yards rank sixth on the school season-record list and his 2,610 yards in total offense as a senior rank seventh on the school annual record chart … Completed 187 passes in 2009, ranking behind Bulger (274 in 1998 and 192 in 1997) and Oliver Luck (216 in 1981) on the school season-record list … His 296 pass attempts in 2009 placed seventh on the WVU annual record chart … Gained 407 yards in total offense vs. East Carolina in 2009, tying Mike Sherwood (vs. Pittsburgh in 1968) for the third-best game total in school history, topped by Marc Bulger (424 vs. Missouri in 1998) and Patrick White (424 vs. Pittsburgh in 2006) … His 334 yards passing vs. East Carolina in 2009 were the most yards gained by a WVU quarterback in a game since Marc Bulger totaled 429 yards vs. Missouri in 1998 … Threw for four touchdowns vs. East Carolina in 2009, ranking behind Marc Bulger (six vs. Pittsburgh in 1998), Patrick White (five vs. Villanova in 2008), Brad Lewis (five vs. Mississippi in 2000) and Allen McCune (five vs. Pittsburgh in 1965) on the school game-record chart.

Selected All-Big East Conference second-team by the league coaches and third-team by the media … Named Big East Player of the Week vs. East Carolina and chosen WVU Offensive Champion vs. Liberty, East Carolina, Syracuse and Cincinnati … Started all thirteen games, participating in 737 offensive snaps … Missed most of the Marshall contest when he was knocked out in a violent collision early in the first quarter … Left the Louisville clash late in the second half with a left ankle sprain … Re-injured the ankle just before half time vs. Florida State in the Gator Bowl, missing the rest of the game … Ranked third in the Big East with an average of 200.77 yards per game in total offense and placed sixth with a 130.20 pass efficiency rating … Became the first quarterback since Marc Bulger in 1998 to throw for over 2,000 yards in a season at West Virginia, totaling 2,144 yards (sixth-best season total in school history), as he completed 187-of-296 attempts (63.18%) with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions … His 466 yards rushing rank 10th among WVU quarterbacks in a season, carrying 117 times (3.98 yards per carry) with six touchdowns to finish second on the squad on the ground … His 2,610 yards in total offense placed seventh on the school season-record list … 94 of his 187 pass completions produced first downs, as he converted 34-of-80 third-down plays … 85 of his completions went for at least 10 yards, including 29 for 20 yards or longer … In addition to his nine interceptions, 29 of his pass attempts were deflected by the opposition … His opponents returned those nine pass thefts for a total of 79 yards … Sacked 19 times for losses totaling 177 yards, as he turned the ball over six times on eight fumbles.

Brown appeared in nine games, starting for an injured Patrick White in the Syracuse clash … Finished with 22-of-30 passes (73.33 percent) for 114 yards, one touchdown and an interception … Carried 36 times for 169 yards (4.69 yards per carry) and one TD … Totaled 283 yards, an average of 31.44 yards per game … Did not see action vs. Clemson, Auburn, Cincinnati and South Florida.

Played in ten games as a reserve, completing 31-of-48 passes (64.58%) for 341 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions … Brown also rushed 49 times for 327 yards (6.67 ypc) and three touchdowns … Did not see action vs. Louisville, Cincinnati and Oklahoma … After the football season, he played basketball for the Mountaineers and scored 13 points in as many games.

Played in six games as a redshirt freshman, starting vs. Rutgers for an injured Patrick White … Completed 28-of-47 attempts (59.57%) for 384 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, compiling a 137.99 pass efficiency rating … Carried 32 times for 176 yards (5.5 ypc), finding the end zone three times.

Redshirted as a freshman.

2009: Suffered a concussion early in the first quarter when he had a head-on collision with two defenders vs. Marshall (10/17) … Suffered a left ankle sprain in the second half vs. Louisville (11/07) … Re-injured his left ankle just before halftime vs. Florida State (1/02) in the Gator Bowl, missing the rest of that contest.

Campus: 4.59 in the 40-yard dash … 1.6 10-yard dash … 2.66 20-yard dash … 4.49 20-yard shuttle … 7.22 three-cone drill … 28-inch vertical jump … 8'10" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds five times … 33 1/2-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands.

Attended Palm Beach Lakes (Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Dan Sanso … Earned All-State honors … The Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year threw for 1,800 yards, 18 touchdowns and gained 485 yards rushing for the Rams, helping them compile an 8-2 record and reach the state quarterfinals in 2004 … Was a Lou Groza Prep Player of the Year Finalist and a member of the Rivals.com Florida Top 100 team … That recruiting service also gave him a three-star rating as a dual threat quarter-back (ranked 12th in the nation at that position) … On the gridiron, Brown amassed more than 7,100 yards and 73 touchdowns passing during his prep days … Also lettered four times in basketball, as his team compiled a 100-21 record while he was on the varsity … Led the Rams to the Class 6-A state finals as a senior … That year, he averaged 11.4 points per game and shot 44.2 percent from 3-point range, closing out his career as a member of the school's 1,000-point club … Graduated with a 2.5 grade point average.

Athletic Coaching Education major … Son of Sherry and James Brown … Born 1/23/86 … Resides in West Palm Beach, Florida.