Seminole County's Browns signs with Middle Tennessee

Auburn University was making a late push this week for Seminole County star Chris Brown.

He was the next guy up at Auburn, Seminole County head football coach Alan Ingram said Thursday of Brown. He was supposed to go up there Monday to see coach (Gene) Chizik.

Brown, however, didnt want to wait and decided to sign with Middle Tennessee State late Wednesday.

I felt there would be an offer from Auburn maybe (next week), but they (Brown family) went for the sure thing and that was Middle Tennessee, Ingram said.

Middle Tennessee was the only Football Bowl Subdivision school that had made an offer to Brown. Georgia Southern, a Football Championship Subdivision school, also offered.

Ingram said Brown had visited Auburn a couple of times, but that the school really picked up interest in the last few days after missing out on several other targets. Ingram said he personally talked to Auburn coaches several times in the last few days. Georgia Tech was also expressed interest in Brown on Wednesday afternoon, said Ingram.

A Dothan Eagle Super 12 selection and all-state selection in Georgia this past season, Brown was a star running back and safety for the Indians. This past season, he led the Wiregrass in rushing (1,805 yards) and in rushing touchdowns (30), while averaging 138.8 rushing yards a game and 11.8 rushing yards per carry. He also had 10 receptions for 262 yards and three TDs.

Defensively, he had seven interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and was in 66 tackles with six tackles for losses.

Ingram indicated Middle Tennessee was looking at Brown as a safety.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Brown also helped Seminole County earn a school-record for wins and the programs first state quarterfinal playoff appearance this year as the Indians finished 11-2 in Georgias Class A division.

Brown heads to the Murfreesboro, Tenn., school with cousin T.T. Barber, a linebacker at Miller County High School in nearby Colquitt, Ga., who also signe! d with M TSU Wednesday.

That was probably the biggest factor in him signing with Middle Tennessee, Ingram said. That was the main reason. At least, that is my assumption plus it was the only (major) Division-I offer.

Brown rushed for 3,816 yards in his career despite missing virtually his entire junior year (except one game) because of a hip injury. He was listed as the 44th best player in the state of Georgia by 247sports.com.

He is a great athlete, a great player and a good kid, Ingram said. He is also a hard worker.