BUFORD — Derrian Brown, a 2019 Buford graduate and running back star, stood at the turn of the Tom Riden Stadium track. His beaming smile shone in front of hordes of people witnessing the Wolves’ Thursday scrimmage.
He not only took in the scenes, but dreamt he could be back on the grass.
“I believe I can do this again,” Brown said.
Brown had the unthinkable happen five-plus years ago. The University of Texas signee who was told he would be the second-in-line running back behind star Keontay Ingram as a freshman saw his career derailed by a stroke.
He hasn’t played a snap of live football since. Now, he gears up for his second chance.
After entering the transfer portal earlier in the calendar year, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound speedster has found his next destination for a rebirth in the sport. Brown will head to the west coast and attend Santa Barbara City College for around a six-month stint to provide film for Division I programs nationwide. He has four years of NCAA eligibility remaining.
“I looked at JUCOs (junior colleges) and they told me ‘I know you want that second chance,'” Brown said.
Brown performed at a torrid pace for Buford with 1,897 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns. No. 3 holds a special place within the Buford community as it rallied around Brown during his stroke and recovery. He suffered the injury on Jan. 31, 2019 after dealing with an unshakeable headache and found himself hospitalized for three months.
After arriving at Texas months after the stroke, Brown continued to have dreams of touching the field in Austin. The Longhorns, however, became wary due to the extent of the stroke and the COVID-19 pandemic hit which led to a further setback. Texas, under head coach Tom Herman at the time, informed Brown that he would be placed on a medical scholarship but could never play in the burnt orange.
Logically, Brown could have entered the transfer portal at the time. With the concerns around a injury as severe as a stroke, though, there were no guarantees that a program would have interest in his talents. His father, Derrick Brown, advised him to finish his degree — even if it took four more years — before pursuing a new start to his football career.
Brown’s degree allows him to have a vast number of opportunities, including coaching and teaching.
“We still don’t know why (Texas placed me on a medical scholarship),” Brown said. “It was fine, because it’s better off getting your degree so you have it under your belt.”
Once entering the portal, schools didn’t give up on Brown during his attempted career rebirth. He heard from Ball State, Jacksonville State, East Carolina, New Mexico and New Mexico State after help from Buford head coach Bryant Appling and running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Fyrone Davis. Each of these programs carried interest, but wanted updated film. He didn’t have it, other than that of his high school career.
Brown has done training on his own throughout the journey. He lifts weights and runs frequently. He savors the opportunity to return to football frequently, even if the naysayers tell him he shouldn’t.
“I have to keep the faith,” Brown said. “and know God will do the work for me.”
Brown knows he has doubters. He realized that after the original wave of community support, he didn’t hear from many people anymore. He remembers asking for help without many answering his call. His circle of friends shrunk, and Brown said he doesn’t have a large number of people to rely on to this day.
Thursday night, Brown stood steps from the grass. He knows he’s the same number of steps away from changing the narrative.
“I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong, because I have people telling me I shouldn’t play football,” Brown said. “You have to be in my shoes and see how I feel. Those who are still with me will say ‘I told you.'”
FEATURED PHOTO: Courtesy of Moore Shots, LLC
