Andre Brown, RB

After playing in a running back by committee situation his first three years at State, Brown finally was given his opportunity to be the team's full-time starter as a senior. Despite his excellent playing speed, he relished his role as the team's inside runner, dishing out more punishment than he received with his excellent size, bulk and strength.

The tailback started 30 of 44 games he appeared in for the Wolfpack, finishing eighth on the school's career-record list with 2,539 yards. He placed seventh all-time with 523 carries and his 22 rushing touchdowns were good for ninth in State history.

Brown also proved to be more than just a one-dimensional player. He pulled down 70 receptions as the short-yardage receiver. He also averaged 20.0 yards on 17 kickoff returns, as the tailback would end his career by amassing 3,511 all-purpose yards to go with 24 touchdowns, ranking eighth on the school career-record chart.

Brown was a Parade All-American as a senior at Greenville Rose High School in 2003, when he was also named North Carolina's Associated Press Player of the Year. He scored 47 times during his career and set the state season record with 3,479 yards rushing as a senior, averaging 12.2 yards per attempt to lead the team to the state Class 4A title.

Prior to enrolling at North Carolina State in 2005, Brown spent the 2004 semester at Hargrave Military Academy to improve his grades. He improved his classroom work so much, that he received Academic All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a freshman.

Brown made The Sporting News' Freshman All-ACC squad in 2005, starting the final five games. That season, State's Most Valuable Offensive Back gained 667 yards with six scores on 129 carries (5.2 avg.), as he also averaged 10.9 yards on seven receptions and 21.9 yards on nine kickoff returns.

As a sophomore, Brown became the 21st player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a career. He started seven times in 12 games, producing 658 yards on 124 attempts (5.3 avg.) that included four touchdowns. He also returned seven kickoffs for an 18.7-yard average.

Proving that he was "tough as nails," Brown suffered a foot fracture vs. Florida State and underwent surgery in 2006. The doctors felt that he would be lost for the rest of the season, but he missed only four games before returning to action. He averaged 4.7 yards on 95 rushes that totaled 447 yards with five touchdowns. He also became much more involved in the passing game, latching on to 25 passes for 198 yards (7.8 avg.).

Brown's final campaign almost got off to a rough start as he fractured his left foot again in spring drills and was forced to have a second surgical procedure. He underwent a grueling rehab program and went on to start all 13 games. He finished his final campaign with 175 carries for a career-high 767 yards (4.4 avg.) and seven touchdowns. He also made 29 catches for 309 yards (10.7 avg.) and a pair of scores.

Positives: Tall and thick in upper and lower bodies. Strong straight-ahead runner. Nimble enough to sidestep and find a running lane. Lowers his pads to run over tacklers. Will keep his legs churning in short-yardage situations and carry linebackers and safeties for a few yards. Able to stand up to blitzing linebackers. Productive receiver who is a mismatch against safeties in the open field.

Negatives: Runs tall. Lacks elite speed, taking a few steps to get going. Inconsistent hands out of the backfield, body-catches too often. Tends to dance in the hole if there is anyone in his sight. Does not have the quickness to make defenders miss once stopped. Must have more awareness of blitzers off the edge.

GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 6.4

Body Structure: Brown has a thick frame with excellent overall muscle tone. He has an athletic build with good biceps, firm mid-section and hips, thick thighs and calves and minimal body fat.

Athletic Ability: Brown has a stout body, with good vision and the ability to break tackles thanks to his leg drive and speed. He is more of a straight-line, north-south runner, as he lacks the loose hips to bounce wide or redirect in an instant. He gets most of his yardage up the middle, demonstrating the speed and strength to fire into the pile and push it. He has just marginal hip flexibility, which sometimes prevents him from attaining a low pad level. He is just too stiff in his lateral movements to get valuable yardage turning the corner, but shows a good straight-line burst and explosion. He has durability and ball-security issues, but shows outstanding open-field acceleration and foot quickness. His two foot surgeries to repair fractures make him a medical concern, though, causing his grade to be lower here than his athletic talent should indicate. GRADE: 6.3

Football Sense: Brown has really bought into the program academically, earning honors for his work in the class room. He has good field vision and took a quick grasp of the play book when the new staff took over a few years ago. He has good football instincts, needing only normal reps to learn. He's a very instinctive runner who has good field vision and appears capable of handling the game's mental aspect. GRADE: 6.1

Character: Brown is well-respected and recommended by his coaches. He's a bit reserved when you first meet him, but he shows good character, solid work ethic and, while quiet, he does command respect from teammates and opponents. GRADE: 6.3

Competitiveness: Brown is not timid to run the ball up the gut and does so with power and authority. He plays with good effort and won't back down mentally. He wants the ball in pressure situations and has worked hard to get more involved in the passing game. He shows very good determination and urgency in his play. He's a true gamer who played through several injuries that should have sidelined him longer (doctors said he should sit out the rest of the 2007 season after fracturing his foot, but he returned four weeks later). He has good power and speed for this position and will punish tacklers breaking them. GRADE: 6.7

Work Habits: Brown is a hard worker and one look at his muscular body is evidence that he is a willing participant in the training room. He will do more than what the coaches ask and likes his silent leader by example role. He accepted his role of splitting time with other running backs, thanks to his team-first attitude. He's a good worker in the weight room, but also excels at applying himself on the playing field. GRADE: 6.7

ATHLETIC REPORT: GRADE: 5.95

Initial Quickness: If you are looking for a very explosive north-south runner, Brown is the perfect fit. He moves on the ball's snap with no hesitation and it is rare to see him false step. He has great timing at the mesh point and while he lacks loose hips, this is a player with explosive speed, one that can consistently make defenders miss when exploding up the hole. He makes quick decisions and has a sudden burst past the line of scrimmage. In the open field, he is not really a glider, but his long stride allows him to gain yardage quickly, just as long as he does not have to change direction or move laterally. GRADE: 6.7

Acceleration/Burst: Brown shows good suddenness out of his stance and into the pile. He has deceptive long speed past the second level, but does most of his damage by breaking tackles after initial contact and will leave second-level defenders behind, if he gets a straight-line surge into the open. He just does not seem to find ways to create separation when turning the corner. He has the explosion to beat defenders taking the ball between tackles, thanks to his short burst, but struggles when having to cut back or bounce to the outside. GRADE: 6.3

Instincts/Balance: Brown runs at a good pad level and is not easy to get down in one-on-one confrontations. He has nimble feet to side-step low tackles and does a good job of keeping his feet moving on initial contact. He's an instinctive runner who sets up and uses his blocks well, but struggles to gain separation in the second level when having to bounce outside. He carries defenders well upon contact and has more than enough leg drive and strength to break arm tackles. GRADE: 5.9

Inside Running: Despite his timed speed, Brown is more of a power runner that can break tackles and keep his balance than an elusive scatback bouncing out wide. There is no indecisiveness to him when he spots an inside crease, as he is not the type that will dance in the hole and is best served when he's always moving forward. He breaks arm tackles, gets the tough yards and creates space for himself, despite poor hip swerve and wiggle. He stays low in his pads, keeps his shoulders square and drives hard with his legs to get good, hard yards. He will take what he can get from the defense, but can't create if the hole is closed. GRADE: 7.1

Outside Running: This is perhaps his weakest area, as he does not run the stretch well, nor does he show a very good feel for the zone block. He's limited as a cut-back runner, but gets into trouble when he tries to bounce and feel for the cut back. He shows that extra gear needed to turn on the afterburners heading straight up the line, but you just don't see him capable of scooting around the corner. GRADE: 4.8

Elusiveness: Brown's explosion off the snap will make the initial tackler miss, but he can be caught from behind, as he does not keep his pad level down in the open field like he does when attacking the hole. There is just not much hip wiggle to him and he shows just marginal ability to slide laterally while running at full speed. He is more of a one-cut runner. GRADE: 5.2

Tackle-Breaking Strength: Brown is a very strong runner that will "ram it up" inside, doing a nice job of keeping his balance. He does a good job of sinking his pads, lowering his shoulders and initiating contact when running between tackles. He does a good job of pumping his feet on contact and when moving the pile. GRADE: 6.8

Tendency to Fumble: Brown is very inconsistent with ball security. He uses two hands to protect the ball on inside runs, but when he bounces outside, he keeps it loose, inviting a fumble from a big hit. When getting into the second level, he needs to protect the ball better, as he fails to shift his weight and distribute the ball to keep it away from the defender. GRADE: 5.1

Receiving Skills: Brown is just starting to develop as a receiver, showing good hands to secure the ball outside his frame. He looks the ball in nicely over his outside shoulder. He has receiver quality hands and despite hip stiffness, he is effective scooping for low throws. GRADE: 6.1

Route Running: Brown is a back that is capable of handling screens, check-downs and flats. He is not the type to line up wide or in the slot, but does show good burst and urgency coming out of the backfield. He has a very good feel for the passing game, but does not cut sharply on his breaks and needs to work on generating better hip wiggle to help him find ways to get open. GRADE: 5.5

Blocking Ability: Brown is a willing blocker who is an efficient blitz pick-up blocker. He will make an effort, will cut block in pass protection and has power to block, but fails to generate good hip snap or mirror to get out on the edge in pass protection. He gets his hands up quick enough to jolt working in-line and is best served blocking in the backfield than in the second level (not good at angling). GRADE: 6.0

Compares To: FRED TAYLOR, New England -- Brown will never be the high-yardage, productive runner Taylor was in his heydays, but both show a good combination of power and quickness as an inside runner. Brown is starting to develop nice receiving skills, but he does not have the loose hips to be effective on outside runs. Like Taylor, he is a bit of a medical risk. Fortunately, he has a lot of experience in a "running back by committee" set-up, as he has a few holes in his game to ever be considered a franchise back. He would be a nice replacement for Derrick Ward with the Giants.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.03

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

In 44 games at State, Brown carried the ball 523 times for 2,539 yards (4.85 avg.) and 22 touchdowns, caught 70 passes for 631 yards (9.01 avg.) and two scores, adding 341 yards on 17 kickoff returns (20.05 avg.), as he amassed 3,511 all-purpose yards, an average of 78.8 yards per game … His 2,539 yards on the ground rank seventh in school history behind Ted Brown (4,602; 1975-78), Joe McIntosh (3,642; 1981-84), Tremayne Stephens (3,533; 1994-97), Ray Robinson (2,781; 1998-2001), Anthony Barbour (2,575; 1988-92) and Stan Fritts (2,542; 1972-74) … His 523 rushing attempts placed eighth in school annals and his 22 touchdown runs tied Willie Burden (1971-73) for seventh on the school career-record list … Became the ninth player in State annals to generate over 3,500 all-purpose yards (3,511) in a career … His average of 5.3 yards per rushing attempt in 2006 tied Ray Robinson (1998) for 11th on the Wolfpack's season-record list … Holds the school game record for freshman after rushing for 248 yards vs. Southern Mississippi in 2005, which rank second on the overall game-record list behind Ted Brown (251 vs. Penn State, 1977) … His 32 carries in that Southern Miss clash tied T.A. McLendon (vs. Texas Tech in 2002) and Jamelle Eugene (vs. North Carolina in 2007) for seventh on the school game-record chart … His 279 all-purpose yards vs. Southern Mississippi in 2005 is topped only by Torry Holt (296 vs. Baylor, 1998) on State's game-record list … Tied for ninth in school annals with six 100-yard rushing performances during his career.

All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention by The NFL Draft Report … Battled back from a left foot fracture in spring camp to start all 13 games, leading the team with a career-high 767 yards and seven touchdowns on 175 carries (4.4 avg.) … Registered 46 first-down runs (26.29%), as he converted 8-of-12 third-down snaps and had 29 positive carries inside the red zone, including 15 on goal-line plays … 23 of his runs were for at least 10 yards, as he was tackled behind the line of scrimmage 17 times (9.71%) and stopped for no gain on eight other runs … Had key rushes that set up 10 touchdown drives and one more that ended with a field goal … Ranked second on the team with a career-high 29 receptions for 309 yards (10.7 avg.) and two scores … Added 13 yards on a kickoff return to total 1,089 all-purpose yards, an average of 83.77 yards per game.

South Carolina … The Wolfpack had just 138 yards in total offense, much of which came from Brown, who notched his sixth career game of 100 or more rushing yards … Starting in place of injured junior Jamelle Eugene, Brown had 101 yards on 21 carries to move into 11th place on the NC State career rushing list with 1,873 yards … "Certainly we missed Jamelle Eugene, but everybody was talking about Andre Brown like he was chopped liver," head coach Tom O'Brien said. "I thought we rushed the ball well all night. Andre had over 100 yards and Curtis Underwood got some yards at the end of the game."

William & Mary … Brown followed with 17 carries for 43 yards, but dragged three defenders with him into the end zone for a first-quarter 3-yard touchdown run.

Clemson … Brown led N.C. State with 64 yards rushing on 14 carries … Also caught four passes for 51 yards and converted a third-and-3 handoff into a 7-yard run to set up a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter.

East Carolina … Brown scored on the ground and in the air, catching four passes for 35 yards while rushing for 73 yards on 12 chances … He scored his first touchdown on a reception when he turned a flare pass into a 4-yard score in the second frame … A press box-overturned replay gave NC State a game-tying touchdown with 72 seconds remaining in regulation and Brown scored on a 10-yard run in overtime to give the Wolfpack a 30-24 victory … Brown set up his score with a 16-yard high-hurdling run, and followed with a 10-yard run for the winning touchdown in front of a sell-out crowd of 57,583 at Carter-Finley Stadium … "When the defense goes out there and play like they played, getting that turnover in overtime and making those two stands inside the 5, I didn't want to rely on the kicker, to be honest with you," Brown said. "I wanted to go out there, put that boy in the end zone and get out of here."

South Florida … The senior tailback generated just 39 yards on nine carries, but pulled down a pair of passes for 85 yards … He ran for his 18th career touchdown on a 1-yard plunge with 1:06 left in the first half … At the start of the third quarter, he tackled Jerome Murphy after the defender picked off a State pass, only to have Brown chase down the cornerback after an 11-yard return.

Florida State … The Pack built an early lead thanks to the legs of Brown, who forced FSU to tackle him with multiple defenders on seven of his 12 carries, good for 50 yards.

Maryland … The Wolfpack took the opening kickoff and used nearly eight minutes with a 14-play drive before Brown capped that 73-yard possession with a 1-yard dive. The tailback gained 56 yards on 15 runs and 38 yards on five receptions, but he lost the ball on a fumble in the first quarter, setting up a Maryland touchdown drive.

Duke … Brown totaled 57 yards on 15 attempts, using a 16-yard reception and a 14-yard run to set up a State 22-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Wake Forest … Brown followed with 14 carries for 66 yards and three catches for 19 yards … He converted a pair of third-down snaps into first-down runs and added a 7-yard carry to set up Russell Wilson's 11-yard scoring toss that ended a 12-play, 67-yard first-quarter possession.

North Carolina … Fighting for a bowl berth, Brown punished State's interstate rivals with 20 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, as he also gained 28 yards on three receptions … "The thought(of this being a lost season) tried to creep in our heads, but we didn't let it," said senior tailback Andre Brown. "With the talent we have, we just knew something good was going to happen. We were going to go out and continue to play Wolfpack football and get some wins." … In the third quarter, the Tar Heels defense forced QB Russell Wilson out of the pocket and he scampered 26-yards to the UNC 2-yard line. Brown then scored his team's third touchdown of the day on a 2-yard run.

Miami … The senior tailback collected a season-high 93 yards on 40 attempts, including a touchdown and snatched two passes for 24 yards and another score … A 2-yard lob from Russell Wilson put Brown in the end zone to cap a 10-play, 96-yard first-quarter possession … With 2:30 left in the game, he powered his way in for a 4-yard touchdown run … Record Watch- Brown moved into eighth place on the career rushing list (2,500), and into ninth place in career all-purpose yards (3,455).

Rutgers (PapaJohns.com Bowl) … Brown closed out his career with 39 yards on 11 carries … The Wolfpack finished the first half with a 13-play 80-yard drive that was capped with a 5-yard touchdown run by Brown with 38 seconds to play in the half.

Brown played in eight games, starting at tailback vs. Boston College, Wofford, Clemson, Louisville and Florida State … Missed four complete games after fracturing his foot at Florida State … Underwent surgery and didn't return until the Wake Forest game … Rushed for 447 yards on 95 carries (4.7 avg.) that included five touchdowns … Grabbed more passes (25 for 194 yards and a 7.8-yard average) than he did in his first two seasons combined.

Opened the season with 14 carries for 73 yards and a 33-yard score vs. Central Florida … Added 63 yards on 13 tries and 77 yards on seven receptions in the Boston College clash … Rushed for a season-high 133 yards, along with three touchdowns, getting 21 carries vs. Wofford … Followed with 16 attempts for 92 yards and five receptions for 38 yards vs. Florida State.

Brown started seven of 12 games, gaining 658 yards with four touchdowns on 124 attempts (5.3 avg.) … Caught nine passes for 52 yards (5.8 avg.) and returned seven kickoffs for 131 yards (18.7 avg.) … Became the 21st player in school history to rush for over 1,000 career yards when he had 113 vs. Florida State … Reached that milestone in his 16th game, the eighth-shortest time in school history for a player to reach 1,000 rushing yards.

Opened the season with 15 rushes for 125 yards and a 43-yard score vs. Appalachian State … Added 97 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and 24 yards on two catches vs. Boston College … Followed with 18 attempts for 113 yards vs. Florida State and had eight runs for 67 yards, including a score vs. Wake Forest … Added another touchdown to go with 62 yards on 10 rushes vs. Maryland.

Earned Freshman All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors from The Sporting News … Academic All-ACC selection during his first year with the Wolfpack, as he started the team's final five games … Finished with 667 yards and six touchdowns on 129 carries (5.2 avg.) … Made seven catches for 76 yards (10.9 avg.) and gained 197 yards on nine kickoff returns (21.9 avg.) … Ran for over 100 yards twice, getting 179 yards with a 65-yard score on 26 carries vs. Florida State … His 248 yards on 47 attempts, including two touchdowns, vs. Southern Mississippi rank second on the school game-record list.

Attended Hargrave Military Academy

2007: Sat out the East Carolina, Virginia, Miami and North Carolina games after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured bone in his left foot suffered in the Florida State clash.

2008: Again broke the bone in his left foot during spring drills, undergoing a second surgical procedure.

Campus: 4.47 in the 40-yard dash … 1.47 10-yard dash … 2.58 20-yard dash … 32-inch arm length … 9 1/2-inch hands.

Combine: 4.37 in the 40-yard dash … 1.47 10-yard dash … 2.56 20-yard dash … 4.33 20-yard shuttle … 7.35 three-cone drill … 37-inch vertical jump … 9'7" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times … 32 1/8-inch arm length … 9 3/4-inch hands.

Attended Greenville (N.C.) Rose High School, playing football for head coach Greg Thomas … Parade All-American as a senior … Named North Carolina's Associated Press Player of the Year … Scored 47 times during his career and set the state season record with 3,479 yards rushing as a senior, averaging 12.2 yards per attempt to lead the team to the state Class 4A title.

Parks, Recreation and Tourism major … Born 12/15/86 … Resides in Greenville, North Carolina.