Tag: Matt Brown

2020 Season Countdown: #94 Matt Brown

Name: Matt Brown
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Solon (OH) Solon
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #46
Last year: I ranked Brown #87 and said he would be a backup fullback and special teamer (LINK). He played in four games on special teams.
TTB Rating: N/A

Brown was negatively affected by the departure of Pep Hamilton and the arrival of Josh Gattis. Gattis ditched the more traditional fullback position for more of a spread offense, which hung Brown out to dry a little bit. After playing in three games as a backup fullback in 2018, he played four games last season but only on special teams.

This year looks to be more of the same from Brown. His best bet to get on the field will probably be on special teams. One plus is that Ben Van Sumeren – a former bigger back – made a transition to potentially play linebacker, so that could open up a few low-risk snaps late in games for Brown. But by and large, he’s just a quality walk-on for depth and special teams purposes.

Prediction: Backup running back, special teamer

2019 Season Countdown: #87 Matt Brown

Name: Matt Brown
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 232 lbs.
High school: Solon (OH) Solon
Position: Fullback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #46
Last year: I ranked Brown #108 and said he would be a backup fullback (LINK). He played in four games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Brown came to Michigan as someone who looked like a classic middle linebacker type but found himself playing fullback in Michigan’s tight end- and fullback-heavy offense. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he backed up Ben Mason and Jared Wangler, playing fullback in three blowout victories. The off-season transition to a new offense that de-emphasizes the fullback was one that I thought might see Brown move back to linebacker, but instead he remains listed as a fullback, where he will presumably be some sort of backup to Mason once again. I liked Brown’s film coming out of high school, but the position might not dictate that a fullback – let alone a backup – sees the field very much. Would you rather have Matt Brown on the field or one of numerous skilled wide receivers? I think Brown will get an opportunity to play this season, but not as much as he was probably hoping if Pep Hamilton had remained the offensive coordinator.

Prediction: Backup fullback, special teamer

2018 Season Countdown: #108 Matt Brown

Matt Brown (image via Twitter)

Name: Matt Brown
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: Solon (OH) Solon
Position: Fullback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #46
Last year: I did not rank Brown. He redshirted.

Brown was one of the most impressive preferred walk-ons in Michigan’s 2017 class. He posted 155 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries as a senior in 2016. Brown made the switch to fullback at Michigan, and I might even be underrating this kid at #108. I think he has a good physical and mental makeup for the fullback position, but since he was mostly a defensive player in high school, he may take some time to get acquainted with all the offensive stuff. I expect Ben Mason and Ben VanSumeren to get the bulk of the snaps at fullback, but Brown looks like a guy who would have no problem running full speed into a linebacker or two.

Prediction: Backup fullback