2020 American Heritage (FL) CB Davonte Brown was a beneficiary of Miami’s expanding cornerback board in recent weeks, as Brown landed a UM offer and then experienced a Hurricanes’ practice soon after.
“Coach (DeMarcus) Van Dyke had texted me on a Friday, asked me to come to the Georgia Tech game, but I couldn’t make it,” Brown said. “Then that following Monday, they talked to my head coach, and he let me know Miami had offered me. I was shocked, I didn’t expect it.
“Over the following weekend, I went to a practice, talked to coach (Mike) Rumph, coach (Manny) Diaz, met a lot of coaches and players, got to see how practice is run.”
With the Miami offer now in hand, Brown is certainly interested in what UM brings to the table, as going to school close to home is something he’s always thought about.
“The tradition there is great, but also I’d be able to stay down in South Florida, play in front of my hometown so my parents could watch me play,” Brown said of UM. “I could definitely see myself at Miami.”
And Brown isn’t new to the tradition of the Miami program: His father, Selwyn Brown, played DB for UM from 1983-1987, and was a part of the ’83 and ’87 championship teams. Growing up around his father’s passion for Miami gave Davonte a sense that he could one day eventually be part of that same history.
“It was cool growing up around him, he’s always yelling at the TV when the games are going on,” Brown said of his father. “He made sure I always knew about the legacy of the players and the team. I feel like maybe I could contribute to that.”
Under Selwyn’s influence no doubt, Brown has seen pretty much every Miami game this season. His take on how the defense is playing?
“I see they’ve been making plays, making turnovers,” he said.
The American Heritage star will get an up close look at the team this weekend, as he plans to be in the Miami recruiting section for the Louisville game on Saturday. Overall, Brown admits that Miami is already among his favorites, but that he won’t be making a quick commitment.
“I’d say they’re in my top 5, along with Missouri, UCF, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia,” Brown said of Miami. “I don’t want to make a decision right away. I’m still trying to visit schools and see everything.”
The 6-2 160 pound prospect has done just that recently, taking an official visit to Pitt over the summer and then following it up with an OV to UCF last weekend.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere at Pitt. The coaches, players, city were all nice,” Brown said of his official. “I just took one to UCF, and I’m going to make it to Miami for an official too. I might also go see West Virginia with a teammate.”
As of now, Brown has no decision timeline, and isn’t sure if he will sign early with his school of choice. He’s more focusing on his senior season right now, as the 8-1 Patriots are in the Quarterfinals of the playoffs against Key West this weekend.
“It’s going by fast,” Brown said of his senior season. “I’ve been doing whatever my team needs.”
Brown has tallied 13 tackles and 1 INT for American Heritage in 8 games in 2019. At the Opening Miami Regional in February, he recorded a 4.64 40-yard dash and a 4.50 short shuttle.
“Coach (DeMarcus) Van Dyke had texted me on a Friday, asked me to come to the Georgia Tech game, but I couldn’t make it,” Brown said. “Then that following Monday, they talked to my head coach, and he let me know Miami had offered me. I was shocked, I didn’t expect it.
“Over the following weekend, I went to a practice, talked to coach (Mike) Rumph, coach (Manny) Diaz, met a lot of coaches and players, got to see how practice is run.”
With the Miami offer now in hand, Brown is certainly interested in what UM brings to the table, as going to school close to home is something he’s always thought about.
“The tradition there is great, but also I’d be able to stay down in South Florida, play in front of my hometown so my parents could watch me play,” Brown said of UM. “I could definitely see myself at Miami.”
And Brown isn’t new to the tradition of the Miami program: His father, Selwyn Brown, played DB for UM from 1983-1987, and was a part of the ’83 and ’87 championship teams. Growing up around his father’s passion for Miami gave Davonte a sense that he could one day eventually be part of that same history.
“It was cool growing up around him, he’s always yelling at the TV when the games are going on,” Brown said of his father. “He made sure I always knew about the legacy of the players and the team. I feel like maybe I could contribute to that.”
Under Selwyn’s influence no doubt, Brown has seen pretty much every Miami game this season. His take on how the defense is playing?
“I see they’ve been making plays, making turnovers,” he said.
The American Heritage star will get an up close look at the team this weekend, as he plans to be in the Miami recruiting section for the Louisville game on Saturday. Overall, Brown admits that Miami is already among his favorites, but that he won’t be making a quick commitment.
“I’d say they’re in my top 5, along with Missouri, UCF, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia,” Brown said of Miami. “I don’t want to make a decision right away. I’m still trying to visit schools and see everything.”
The 6-2 160 pound prospect has done just that recently, taking an official visit to Pitt over the summer and then following it up with an OV to UCF last weekend.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere at Pitt. The coaches, players, city were all nice,” Brown said of his official. “I just took one to UCF, and I’m going to make it to Miami for an official too. I might also go see West Virginia with a teammate.”
As of now, Brown has no decision timeline, and isn’t sure if he will sign early with his school of choice. He’s more focusing on his senior season right now, as the 8-1 Patriots are in the Quarterfinals of the playoffs against Key West this weekend.
“It’s going by fast,” Brown said of his senior season. “I’ve been doing whatever my team needs.”
Brown has tallied 13 tackles and 1 INT for American Heritage in 8 games in 2019. At the Opening Miami Regional in February, he recorded a 4.64 40-yard dash and a 4.50 short shuttle.
