Kennedale LB Baron Browning: More than Meets the Eye

Kennedale linebacker Baron Browning is one of the more sought after prospects in the nation. A Friday night trip to see him play against Terrell brought us to a packed house that included other members of the media, and members of the USC coaching staff. Scenes like this have become routine for Browning, but the most impressive prospect in the state of Texas is also the most unassuming. “I’d say when it first hit me was my freshman year when I was ranked the number one inside linebacker. I was really excited, but honestly I stopped caring about that my sophomore year,” Browning told me.

On the field it’s easy to see why so many fans and colleges are enamored with Browning. At 6’3 235 lbs., Browning is an exceptional athlete with 4.5 speed in the 40 yard dash. The tangibles are incredible when you see him in action, but the intangibles might be what sets him apart from others. Browning comes from a family that stresses academic success over all else, and he told us that is what he’s looking for most in a potential destination. Those factors combined to make the Texas Longhorns a serious contender for Browning’s services. “The first thing that made me like Texas was we didn’t even talk about football, we talked about academics. My household is very big on academics. My mom is finishing up her doctorate and my brother graduated from Stanford. Education is very big in my house. Just going through the recruiting process I was looking at it from more of a football aspect, but I figured out what the three things most important to me were, and that really made it easier.”

While most kids are worried solely about winning championships and finding the best parties, Browning has more of a long term outlook on his college decision. “Academics wise I’m looking at the alumni, the networking for jobs, and who really is doing what they say they do. Some schools tweet things, but they don’t really have the statistics to back it up as far as getting players jobs, the alumni reach, and internships. That’s what I’m into. Football’s cool, but I’m looking at going to a university that’s going to develop me as a technician and develop me as a young man on and off the field. At the end of the day I want to go to a University that can set me up with that life after football.”

While the NFL is certainly a possibility for a player of Browning’s ability, he already has several career paths planned out. “I really want to get into the computer software field. I’m always messing around on the computer and that’s just something I’ve been interested in since the eighth grade. On the other hand I’ve always wanted to own my own business so I’ll probably get into a business degree. I’m always trying to think outside the box and find something where I can expand my thinking.”

Browning is graduating early, and he’s set his decision date for November 29^th. That day has significance because it is his father’s birthday. Browning attended the Texas/Notre Dame matchup in Austin, and he told us beforehand he wanted to see improvement on the field. “I know they’ve got a lot of good guys. I just really want to see improvement from last year. As long as there is improvement, the sky is the limit.”

While the Longhorns seem to have a total package for Baron Browning, they will have to outlast some other schools. Browning has long been close with the coaches at TCU, while out of state schools like UCLA, Oklahoma, and Ohio State caught Browning’s eye early on. The biggest advantage on the field for Texas might be a living, breathing template of what Browning could be in Malik Jefferson. Jefferson spent time with Browning at The Opening in Oregon, and the two connected on a very real level. While there are still nearly three months until this recruitment wraps up, expect the Longhorns to be in the mix until the very end.