By Rubin E. Grant
Senior cornerback Chase Brown hasn’t been missing in action for the Hoover Bucs this season. It’s just that little action has come his way.
That’s what happens when you gain a reputation for being a topnotch pass defender.
“Now I know exactly how Will Singleton felt,” Brown said, referring to his former secondary mate. “That’s the life of a lock-down corner.”
Through the defending Class 7A champion Bucs’ first three games, Brown had an interception, three pass break-ups and only eight tackles, as offenses shied away from his coverage area.
Last year as a junior, Brown got picked on a little more because he was a first-year starter, joining seniors Singleton, Ben Abercrombie and Jayden Jordan in the secondary. Singleton, Abercrombie and Jordan are all playing at the next level this fall, at North Alabama, Harvard and Sacred Heart, respectively.
“Chase was thrown into the fire last year and had a lot to learn,” Hoover head coach Josh Niblett said. “The older players took him under their wings and helped him out. This year, he has the most experience of the guys coming back, so he’s having to be a leader.”
Hoover secondary coach Durrell Fuqua likes having the 6-foot-1, 160- pound Brown around to show the Bucs’ inexperienced defensive backs the ropes.
“His experience means a lot,” Fuqua said. “He helps with the coverages, especially getting the younger guys lined up right and getting them in position to make plays.”
Brown embraces his leadership role.
“Last year, I enjoyed playing with guys with great potential who took me in and showed me the way,” Brown said. “What they did for me I am now doing for the younger guys on the team. I love being the leader of the defense along with (defensive tackle) Khamari Brown,” (no relation).
Chase Brown is more than just a leader. He’s a difference-maker.
“I have watched him since he was in the second or third grade,” Niblett said. “He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he understands the game and he’s a ball hawk. He understands how to make plays. He made a lot plays last year and I expect him to do that again this year.”
Brown believes it’s just a matter of time before the action on his side of the field picks up.
“I’m a team player,” he said. “I just have to keep playing for the team and the time will come for me to make plays.”
Like his former secondary teammates, Brown will play at the next level. He has committed to Air Force.
“When I went out there to visit, the coaches treated me like one of their own and I knew they would be there for me,” Brown said. “It wasn’t a hard decision. I knew from the start that’s where I was going to go when they offered me.”
Niblett expects Brown to be an impact player at Air Force.
“I think it will be a great fit for him,” Niblett said. “He’s a very conscientious young man, an unbelievable competitor and he works hard.” ❖
