Story Links
April 8, 2003
by Andrew Dressel
The last person you want to see running at you is Elton Brown. The behemoth offensive lineman, not to be confused with his basketball playing cousin, Elton Brown, is building a reputation for terrorizing defenses. Nicknamed “Big-E” by his teammates, Brown uses his 6-6, 333 lb frame to punish smaller defensemen with crushing lead blocks on passing and running assignments. His big lead block in the fourth quarter against Clemson last season, cleared a path for Billy McMullen’s 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down, giving UVa the lead for good in the 22-17 victory. Brown was also there to greet hapless defenders for Wali Lundy in the inaugural Continental Tire bowl. On a designed screen play, Brown led the charge, throwing two key blocks which allowed Lundy to scamper 24 yards, untouched, into the end zone against West Virginia.
What’s astonishing, or scary if you’re a defensive coordinator, is that the junior lineman, who made the 2002 honorable mention All-ACC team, never played at 100 percent of his potential. Due to intermittent injuries last year, particularly a nagging foot injury, his development was adversely affected and hampered his prowess on the field.
“His overall development has been hindered, particularly last year,” said head coach Al Groh, “because of the fact that due to a variety of injuries his practice time was constantly being interrupted, but he played on and did a good job for us. I would think that his spring practice – this spring in particular – would be critical to him eventually reaching his potential.”
The talent Brown, a Hampton High product, possesses is obvious. He started four games in 2001 to become the first true freshman to start on the offensive line for the Cavaliers since Dennis Kuczynski started several games at guard in 1973. The blocking sensation is described as having “size, movement skills, and toughness” while also being an “alert savvy player on the field” by Groh.
The third-year head coach stresses the need for continuity and if that occurs for his most experienced lineman, then the 2003 campaign should be his breakout season. However, in order to be successful during the regular season requires dedication and commitment during the off-season program.
“Spring practice is probably the best time of the season to get a lot of extra work in,” observed Brown, who leads the offensive line with 15 career starts. “I had a lot of injuries last year, but I feel pretty good out there now. I feel like I’m getting better everyday.”
Brown’s good health, size, and experience are necessary to anchor a makeshift line that has seen many personnel changes and substitutions over the past two seasons.
“Our offensive line with [coach] Ron Prince’s direction did a great job last year, particularly considering that we had a lot of rookie players play in there,” said Groh, “…and we didn’t have the benefit of continuity that so often is associated with top offensive lines, but look at how the line reflected the can do attitude of the entire squad last year.”
Despite the inexperience of young linemen, some of whom played as true freshmen, and injuries, the offensive front line figures to be more dominant in the future, especially with the new addition of many nationally-acclaimed recruits.
“With the players we have, when we have one person go down, the next person is ready to step up,” remarked Brown. “I think we’re going to turn out pretty good. Like I said, everyone is learning everyday. We have young guys in there that red-shirted last year, so by the time the season comes around, we’re going to have a lot of experienced players on the team.”