| Jason Brown |
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• 2004 All-ACC candidate
• Rimington Award Candidate as the nation's top center (2003, 2004)
• Ranked the No. 9 center in the country by The Sporting News
Has started 27 games in his career, including 24 straight at center • Has excellent quickness for an offensive lineman of his size • One of the strongest players in the country according to UNC strength and conditioning coordinator Jeff Connors • Set school records in each of the last three years for offensive linemen in the weight room • Has the UNC record in the squat (775 lbs.) and power clean (419 lbs.) and his combined pounds lifted in the squat, bench press, and power clean are a school record (1,669 lbs.) • Twice earned "Super Ram" status in the weight room and is a three-time member of UNC's strength & conditioning honor roll •Offensive line coach Hal Hunter says Brown has NFL potential and could be one of the best centers ever to play at North Carolina • He and his wife, Tay, were married July 25, 2003.
2003: Junior season
Started all 12 games at center and played more snaps than any other player on offense • Played 818 snaps, an average of 68 per game • Did not allow a sack all season • A powerful and explosive center who is a key component of Carolina's rushing game • Often running behind Brown's massive frame, Carolina averaged over 150 yards rushing per game, its highest average since 1995 • Graded out at 91 percent (80 is excellent in UNC's system) and had six knockdown blocks in the win over Wake Forest • Started against NC State, just six days after learning of the death of his brother, Lunsford, in Iraq • Started against East Carolina and graded out at 84 percent with five knockdown blocks • Graded out at 88 percent and had five knockdown blocks against Wisconsin • Sprained his knee against the Badgers, but returned two series later • Had nine knockdown blocks and a 90 percent grade against Syracuse •Graded out at 83 percent against FSU with five knockdown blocks.
2002: Sophomore season
Switched from tackle to center in the spring to play what offensive line coach Hal Hunter calls "the most important position" on the offensive line • Started all 12 games at center • Played 896 snaps, an average of 75 snaps per game • Saw action on a season-high 87 snaps in Carolina's win at Arizona State • Graded out over 80 percent in all but one game • Allowed just two sacks.
2001: Freshman season
Saw his first action of the season against Florida State in the fourth game of the season • Helped bolster UNC's offensive line with solid run blocking throughout the season • Earned three starts during the season • Started against East Carolina, Virginia and Clemson • Carolina had back-to-back 200-yard rushing games against Virginia and Clemson • Did not play against Georgia Tech because of an injured ankle • Played on 216 snaps in eight games, an average of 27 per game, including a season-high 43 against the Cavaliers.
Northern Vance High School:
Two-time North Conference 2-A Lineman of the Year • Member of Tom Lemming's All-Mid Atlantic Coast Team • Two-year starter at offensive tackle and defensive tackle • Averaged four pancake blocks a game • Team rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his junior and senior seasons • Team was 7-4 in 2000, losing to the eventual 2-A state champion in the playoffs •Recorded 73 tackles on defense • Voted offensive captain of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team • Two-time discus state champion • Attended Governor's School • National Honor Society member • Ranked among the top 10 in his academic class • Coached by Randy Long.
Personal:
Born Jason Brown on May 5, 1983 in Henderson, N.C. • Enrolled in the General College • Has one older brother and one older sister • Hobbies include collecting coins and singing • Favorite NFL team as a kid was the Washington Redskins • Favorite meal is the victory meal of steak and lobster • Best friend on another team is Jarvise Hargrove of North Carolina Central University • Selected No. 72 because he wore it in high school • Best word to describe him is "original" • Best athletic moment was his first start against ECU • Goal is to earn All-ACC honors in his first year at center.
