Isiah Brown
Cornerback – FIU

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Isiah Brown:  6’0, current weight is 191 and ran a 4.46 at the mock Pro Day.  I got a late call for a private pro day.      

Alex Khvatov:  Where were you training for the NFL Draft? 

Isiah Brown:  I was at XPE in Boca Raton with Tony Villani.  Now I am down in Tampa working with another trainer. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you perform during your mock Pro Day?  Tell us about your overall results.    

Isiah Brown:  Former Tennessee Titans scout Richard Shelton verified the times.  Personally, I had good numbers, but I could have done better.  I had lower body lifts the day before the pro day, but I don’t want to make excuses.  I jumped 36 inches on the vert at 191 pounds.  I gained 15 pounds during the offseason.  I ran a 4.40 in the shuttle and a 7.00 in the L-drill 7.00.  I did the drills with my trainer.  We emulated the combine drills. 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall experience at the Tropical Bowl in Daytona Beach, FL.

Isiah Brown:  It was a great experience.  Meeting new guys and former NFL coaches.  You play against different competition from bigger power five schools like SEC and ACC. 

Alex Khvatov:  What was the biggest thing that you took away from that all-star experience? 

Isiah Brown:  The biggest thing is you can control what you can control.  It doesn’t matter what school you are from.  If you can play football, you can play. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Isiah Brown:  I didn’t get highly recruited.  I had FIU and Georgia State.  I had calls from Kentucky, Virginia Tech and Arkansas.  I had two challenges.  I didn’t have the test scores to get to those bigger schools and a son. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose FIU? 

Isiah Brown:  I wanted to be closer to home because my son was on the way. 

Alex Khvatov:  How has fatherhood changed your outlook on life?

Isiah Brown:  I realized that I had a bigger purpose.  I needed to provide for my son.  I had to be mature.  My decisions don’t only affect me.  They affect my son.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Isiah Brown:  I am a smart, long press man who is instinctive and fast.  I can mirror guys and get physical with guys at the line of scrimmage.  I love to tackle.  I was playing at 180 pounds in college.  I wasn’t afraid to stick my nose in there and tackle 220-pound RB’s.      

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Isiah Brown:  Sometimes, I can be overly aggressive.  I am so passionate about the game, I can overcommit.  Take a bad angle and rely on my athletic ability too much.  I need to continue to perfect my technique.  Being able to increase my football IQ and elevate my game.      

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career? 

Isiah Brown:  Let’s talk about the team first.  I am a team player.  Overall, we were an under .500 team.  We got a coaching change.  Butch Davis came in, and we went to three bowl games.  I played as a freshman.  We played against Maryland and receivers like D.J. Moore and William Likely.  I cracked the starting lineup since the fourth game of my freshman year.  I led the team in pass breakups and interceptions.  I had three picks.  It was my best year statistically.  Sophomore year, I broke my left clavicle.  During my junior year, I was relying more on my athletic ability when I came back.  I didn’t play the whole season.  We had a new coaching staff.  At the end of the season, I earned the coaches’ trust.  Individually, senior season was my best year.  During my senior year, I was more mentally strong and understood concepts better.  I elevated my game.  Our pass defense was ranked #7 in the nation during my senior year.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Isiah Brown:  Beating Miami.  We were the underdogs.  Miami just beat Louisville the week before.  It was a home game for us, but we were getting booed in our own stadium.  We shut down their top two receivers.  We were up 16-0 at halftime.  Beating a power 5 team was great.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a CB?

Isiah Brown:  Confidence.  Trusting your coaches and relying on your technique.  You are on edge at corner on every play.  You have to have that next play mentality.  You will get beat, but it is how you respond.  Playing with confidence and trusting what you are doing.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Isiah Brown:  Actually, I watch a variety of teams.  I am open minded.  I watch different defenses.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Isiah Brown:  Patrick Peterson just made the all-decade team in 2010’s.  He is an elite corner.  I model my game after him.  I am not as big as him.  He plays fast.  He has good technique and he can jump routes before they develop.  Mirrors guys well and shuts down the top receivers in the league.    

Alex Khvatov:  What was the biggest thing that you learned from your head coach Butch Davis? 

Isiah Brown:  He brought the winning mentality.  He showed what’s important now.  He changed our mentality and how you adapt to adversity.  He pushed you in certain situations.  He would put you in an awkward situation and when it does appear in a game, you would be ready to respond to it and know what to do.  I have been able to adapt to adversity even with this coronavirus situation now.     

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

Isiah Brown:  The whole secondary.  #35 CB Rishard Dames and #38 Richard Dames.  They are twin brothers.  #36 safety Dorian Hall and CB Josh Turner.  We set a benchmark last year.  The secondary should be even better this year.      

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Isiah Brown:  WR Diontae Johnson.  He was a third-round pick by the Steelers last year.  It was a personal matchup.  We are from the same hometown and we grew up together.  He has good speed and quickness.  He is a shifty receiver.  He played in the slot sometimes.  He was also a special teams’ guy. 

Alex Khvatov:  Do you have experience playing in the slot? 

Isiah Brown:  During my junior year, I played some slot.  As a senior, I was an outside CB.  I can play all of the positions.  Safety or outside corner or slot.  I never played CB in high school.  I played safety.  Once I got to FIU, they switched me to CB in college.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Isiah Brown:  I get a rush every time that I make a play.  The fans screaming and they give you more energy.  I love contributing to your team.  I love winning and hate losing.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Isiah Brown:  I spend a lot of time with my son.  I love to work out and go fishing.  I also play video games every now and then.  I am a football junkie.  I want to stay around football as long as I can.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Isiah Brown:  I haven’t thought about it that far.  I won’t achieve your goal when you are chasing two rabbits.  I have been focusing on football.  I plan to play along time in the NFL.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Isiah Brown:  Leader, overachiever, passionate, gritty and committed.