Official visit sealed Brown's decision to pick the Wahoos
If you get Utah offensive lineman Joe Brown talking about football, it won’t be long until it becomes clear how much he enjoys the position he plays. And that kind of physicality is exactly what the 6-foot-3, 280 pounder is bringing to the interior of UVa’s front.
The Highland (UT) Lone Peak prospect committed to the Cavaliers on Wednesday afternoon over offers from BYU, Indiana, and NC State among others.
He landed at Virginia thanks to a camp performance earlier this month that impressed O-line coach Garett Tujague and landed Brown with an offer.
Then, following his return this past weekend for an official visit, he found his future home.
“I have very much enjoyed it,” he told CavsCorner on Monday night. “It kind of shows that a lot of hard work that I have been putting in day in and day out is getting recognized, it’s earning me those opportunities. That’s one thing for me, I love working hard and as I keep working harder I’ll keep being noticed. It takes a while sometimes but hard work always pays off eventually.”
“It’s gone really well,” Brown added. “I’ve just been going to camps and what not, talking to a bunch of different coaches and getting my name out there hoping to secure some more offers. But it was a lot of fun out.”
One of those camps, of course, was the one in Charlottesville. And coming back for his OV last weekend really solidified for him how much he liked the way Bronco Mendenhall and Co. go about running their program.
“We kind of got to see a lot more and obviously got to meet the players and see the energy they have, the bond they have with the coaches,” he recalled. “Which was really cool to see. We got to see more of the academic part of the school, which is really important and was really great. And we got to see more about the nutrition and strength portion of things, which was also great. And we also got to see their plans for the future and what not too.”
Hosted on his official visit by senior OL Ryan Nelson, Brown met someone who has an experience that will feel a lot like his own once he arrives on Grounds following his two-year Mormon mission.
“He gave me a great vibe,” Brown said. “Guy from the west coast and all. I could definitely tell he loved the school, he loves being there. He said he loved being out there because he was able to really grow up without having much family around so it gave him different experiences. Obviously, being that far away is a monster difference and a different atmosphere and environment compared to the east coast. I think he was definitely able to learn and grow up on his own. We also talked a little football and what not, too.”
As far as how he’ll fit in, Brown said he’s not only comfortable with how Tujague sees him slotting into the O-line but he loves the prospect of doing the dirty work.
“I’ll do whatever but when we’ve talked he seems to want me a little bit more as a center or a guard, most likely a center,” he said. “I love the offense. I really enjoy it. I’ve obviously been checking out the highlights from spring and what not and they have a big, physical O-line which is great. I love that. I love being physical. They all hustle. They run a lot which I love. I love to run the ball and go hit everybody. Obviously they throw it a lot, too.
“I really love the environment,” Brown added. “It’s high energy, Tujague is high energy, high energy with the O-line, quick pace, making sure they’re getting dow to the ball quick and firing off the ball and punching the defensive line in the mouth.”
And as far as why UVa ended up being the choice, it makes sense given all of what was at the top of his list.
“The academics were extremely important for me,” he said.
“Coach/player relationship, having a great relationship with the coach and basically being able to just call him up whenever or ask to watch some film, stuff like that. And obviously helping me become not just a great football player but also helping me learn about life, continue to help me build that resume with education and academics. Football is a very family-oriented sport so it’s also the relationship with the players around me.
“I want to continue to learn and increase my knowledge with great academics and a hard-hitting football team that runs the ball and plays physical, which I love,” Brown added with a laugh. “And they want you as a person to progress and become a better man.”
Committing to the Wahoos gave him the chance to not only realize a dream but to do so with confidence.
“For me, I picked Virginia because it just had everything,” he said. “I had a great feeling about it. Thinking about it, I don’t have any doubt. Whenever I think about it, I kind of have the chills. I can’t wait to get out there and just go play my butt off and show them what I can do. Obviously, the great academics and being able to progress as a person and as a student.”
After a bit of a whirlwind month, Brown can now move forward into his senior season and getting ready for what’s ahead.
“Honestly? I’m just extremely stoked and excited to get ready to play and obviously to get back to work,” he said. “I know this is the place I need to be so let’s get back to work, get better each day, and get ready to go out there.”
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