Kerry Brown’s versatility and Darius Green’s return boost Minnesota’s safety depth
While Koi Perich may get most of the recognition in Minnesota’s secondary, and rightfully so, he’s not the only difference-maker at safety for the Golden Gophers.
Kerry Brown, now a redshirt sophomore, has become just as important to the Gophers’ success.
The Naples, Florida, native is coming off a 2024 season in which he played in 12 games, including nine starts. In those 12 games, Brown recorded 63 tackles, three tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and two interceptions.
Heading into 2025, the Gophers are looking to expand Brown’s role even further within new defensive coordinator Danny Collins’ “HAVOC” defense.
“Kerry Brown loves football,” Collins told the Minnesota media on Tuesday following the Gophers’ practice. “You know, the thing that I love how he comes to work every day is he’s always got a smile on his face. But he’s a guy that can do everything.”
“He can play a post. He can blitz. He can, you know, his man coverage is the best that it’s ever been. He can be in a run fit. He’ll hit you. You know, the versatility is key,” Collins continued.
Collins is ready to take advantage of the versatility that Brown provides. Similar to the way the Gophers utilized Jack Henderson over the past two seasons.
“That’s why he’s played six different positions today,” Collins said as he discussed Brown’s versatility.
For Brown, the increased number of roles does not appear to be too much to handle, nor is it a challenge that he’s willing to shy away from. “I just take a deep breath, talk to myself, and remind myself I’m capable of doing all these things for the team,” Brown said.
As Collins put it during his time with the media, “That’s what makes him a really special player, and he loves the game.”
Now in his third year with the program, Brown is stepping into a bigger leadership role as the Gophers work on finding and shaping their defensive identity ahead of their August 28 opener against Buffalo.
“For us, it would just continue to have a leadership role for everybody. Just continuing to build a deeper level for us. Continue being able to have a higher step, and continue being more connected,” Brown explained.
On top of Brown’s expanded role, the Gophers’ safety room is also receiving a boost this fall thanks to the return of a healthy veteran piece.
This fall, redshirt senior Darius Green returns after missing most of last season due to injury. Now healthy, the Covington, Georgia native is ready to contribute.
“It’s amazing, just seeing him on the field, you know, doing his thing,” Brown said about Green’s return. ‘So him just being able to be healthy and back, I’m really happy for him. He’s making plays on the field, and it’s amazing for us for him to play this season.”
According to Danny Collins, Green has not just returned to form after missing most of last season but has also elevated his game.
“I’m very proud of Darius,” Collins said. “Darius is playing his best football right now, I think, since he’s been at Minnesota. He’s a guy that can blitz, a guy that can cover, a guy that we love in the run fit. I’m very excited about Darius,” he continued.
“Like I said, his best football is ahead of him, and it’s crazy to say because it’s kind of the end of his journey. I’m just really proud at how he’s playing right now because he’s saving the best for last.”
While Green will be finishing his career with the Golden Gophers this fall, Brown, alongside Koi Perich, represents the next wave of the Gophers’ strong tradition of safety play. Together, the trio of safeties should give the Gophers one of the best safety rooms in the Big Ten in 2025.
