Derrian Brown was the #12 RB recruit in the 2019 recruiting class, out of powerhouse Buford High School in Georgia. After signing with the Texas Longhorns, he suffered a stroke that led to emergency brain surgery and a long stay in ICU. He was put on medical scholarship after the incident. In the years following, Derrian rehabbed and worked toward getting medically cleared to play football again. That proved difficult, but he did manage to graduate with honors from UT in the meantime. After several years of trying, Derrian was finally cleared to play football again in Spring of this year. But because he was on medical scholarship, he couldn’t play at Texas anymore. So he entered the transfer portal in the Spring. No schools would offer him a scholarship because he had no college film, just what he had done in High School from the last time he played in 2018, before stroke. He tried to re-join Texas this month, but was unable to do so, unfortunate for all, given they have lost 2 RBs for the season in practice this month.
By some kind of good fortunate, Derrian recently got connected with the Head Football Coach at Santa Barbara City College in the last few weeks, who told him he could play there for one year to get film on him, then transfer to a D1 school. But given Derrian has already earned an undergrad degree, if he does in fact transfer, it will be as a Graduate Student. Has anyone ever heard of transferring from a JC to a Grad School? If that wasn't enough for you, Derrian still has all 4 years of eligibility left!
If Derrian can find housing, he will play for Santa Barbara City College as a 24yo Graduate Student with the eligibility of a Freshman, in a few weeks! This means if he is able to transfer, Derrian will have three years of eligibility remaining as a 25 yo. I don't know how long he will actually want to play, I just know it is his mission to get one play in a real D1 College Football game, because that was a goal he set for himself after having the stroke.
I have no idea how good Derrian will be once he starts playing, and I don't think he knows either. What I do know is I've talked with Derrian several times after meeting him kind of by chance last month. He is a sweetheart of a young man with a very good heart, that you can tell was raised well by his parents. I want to see him rewarded for his hard work and perseverance. I suspect everyone will be rooting for him when they hear his story. Who knows, maybe someone will give Wilcox and staff a heads up to start following Santa Barbara City College. Looks like Derrian will miss the first game of the season, as it is Aug. 24, and he hasn't arrived there yet, but he should be able to play in their next game on Sept. 7. https://www.sbccvaqueros.com/sports/fball/2024-25/schedule
By some kind of good fortunate, Derrian recently got connected with the Head Football Coach at Santa Barbara City College in the last few weeks, who told him he could play there for one year to get film on him, then transfer to a D1 school. But given Derrian has already earned an undergrad degree, if he does in fact transfer, it will be as a Graduate Student. Has anyone ever heard of transferring from a JC to a Grad School? If that wasn't enough for you, Derrian still has all 4 years of eligibility left!
If Derrian can find housing, he will play for Santa Barbara City College as a 24yo Graduate Student with the eligibility of a Freshman, in a few weeks! This means if he is able to transfer, Derrian will have three years of eligibility remaining as a 25 yo. I don't know how long he will actually want to play, I just know it is his mission to get one play in a real D1 College Football game, because that was a goal he set for himself after having the stroke.
I have no idea how good Derrian will be once he starts playing, and I don't think he knows either. What I do know is I've talked with Derrian several times after meeting him kind of by chance last month. He is a sweetheart of a young man with a very good heart, that you can tell was raised well by his parents. I want to see him rewarded for his hard work and perseverance. I suspect everyone will be rooting for him when they hear his story. Who knows, maybe someone will give Wilcox and staff a heads up to start following Santa Barbara City College. Looks like Derrian will miss the first game of the season, as it is Aug. 24, and he hasn't arrived there yet, but he should be able to play in their next game on Sept. 7. https://www.sbccvaqueros.com/sports/fball/2024-25/schedule
