News
Talking football with USC offensive tackle Charles Brown
20 Apr 10
By Aaron Wilson, National Football Post
USC offensive tackle Charles Brown is one of the fastest-rising NFL draft prospects, according to league sources.
USC offensive tackle Charles Brown visited the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions.
We're told he could be drafted as high as the first 15 selections, perhaps even by the Buffalo Bills with the ninth overall selection.
Brown visited the Bills, the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And the All-American blocker met with the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line coach in Los Angeles.
The 6-foot-6, 303-pounder has run the 40-yard dash in 5.21 seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times, registering a 32-inch vertical leap. Brown is a converted tight end who won the Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Pac-10 Conference last season.
Brown conducted the following telephone interview with National Football Post this week.
How do you think you stack up against the other top offensive tackle prospects?
Brown: "I'm not sure. I only started for two years. There are a couple players that are more experienced. I'm sure people think they're the better player because they've been on their team for a longer period of time, but I don't worry about that stuff."
What kind of player will the team that drafts you be getting?
Brown: "They'll be getting a hard-working, athletic player that will be playing in all the games, a reliable player. They'll get a good pass protector who's constantly trying to work on the run blocking. I hope to get drafted as high as possible and play as early as possible."
What kind of feedback do you get from the NFL teams?
Brown: "They all tell me I'm up there with the rest of the tackles. They say there's only a slight difference between al lof us. They say I'm a pretty good player who should go early."
What did the Bills tell you?
Brown: "They said they needed a left tackle to come in who can start."
How ready do you feel like you are for the NFL?
Brown: "I feel ready because I practiced against guys who are doing well in the NFL like Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga and I held my own. I have a lot of experience playing against a lot of good players."
Where will you be for the draft?
Brown: "Somewhere close to Santa Monica with friends and family. I'm anxious for the day to come."
How much do you weigh?
Brown: "I'm 303 pounds now. I'm hoping to play at 310 or 315 pounds this season."
Who are the best pass rushers you blocked last season?
Brown: "Everson Griffen and Daniel Teo'-Nesheim."
Is there an NFL tackle or tackles that you pattern your game after?
Brown: "Walter Jones. I'm sure a lot of what I do looks like Sam Baker because I learned a lot from him."
