What can Brown do for UA?
University of Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley said defensive back Tony Brown is faster than him, which speaks volumes since Ridley is the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide’s leading receiver. Thankfully for Ridley, though, the two are teammates, and he has never had to go up against Brown in a game.
Neither have Alabama’s opponents so far this season. Brown was serving a four-game suspension from the NCAA that coach Nick Saban announced Monday is finished. Brown, who is also a track star for UA, is now eligible to play in games.
“Right now, Tony’s got to work on – and I told him this – developing trust in his teammates and the coaches,” Saban said. “He certainly has the ability to play.”
Defensive lineman Johnny Dwight’s suspension was also lifted. Saban said both players did what they needed to with the NCAA, and the team is happy to have them back and vice versa.
It seems Brown never fully lost his teammates’ trust.
Ridley watched how Brown played on the scout team and was impressed. Brown went hard on every play, even when he knew there was no chance he could play before this week, Ridley said.
Brown is hungry, though. He’s ready to fully suit up in his new No. 2 jersey and get back under the stadium lights.
“You know, he was upset that he couldn’t be out there with us, he couldn’t travel with us,” Minkah Fitzpatrick said.
The fellow defensive back appreciated how much Brown boosted the team’s energy, saying Brown is the kind of guy who likes to have fun.
In fact, Ridley even pegged Brown as one of the funniest Crimson Tide members. Funnier – and faster – than him at least.
“He just like to crack on people, just making jokes, have the team up laughing and stuff,” Ridley said. “He keeps everybody happy."
Standing a 6 feet tall and weighing in at 198 pounds, Brown is now a junior at Alabama. Since he stepped foot on campus in 2014 as a five-star recruit from Beaumont, Texas, Brown has notched 26 tackles over the course of 26 games.
Saban plans to work Brown back into special teams first, then shift gears toward positions within the secondary Brown has played in the past, such as corner and star. Brown recorded eight special teams tackles last season, splitting them up between punts and kickoff coverage equally.
“He’s going to help us a lot, defense and special teams,” Ridley said. “One thing I know is he’s a great special teams player, and he gives his all for the team. He’s a team player.”
As a player, linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton called Brown a maniac. He’s always ready to work. The way Hamilton put it: Brown always has the juice.
There’s a chance Brown sees playing time on defense, but more so on special teams, this Saturday against Kentucky, just in time for Alabama’s homecoming.
“Tony Brown, he hits like a lineman,” Hamilton said. “Expect to see some big hits out of him this weekend.”