Bio Blast: Meet three-star Michigan running back signee Jonathan Brown

Michigan officially signed three-star Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown Wednesday. 

Here’s everything you need to know as the senior riser running back makes his commitment official on signing day. 

The Skinny 

Height:
6-1
Weight:
200 pounds
Industry Ranking:
No. 748 overall, No. 47 running back, No. 35 in Ohio
Interesting Facts: 2, 231 Rushing Yards(No. 7 all-time in school History), 28 Touchdowns (No. 8 all-time in school history)

Recruitment

Brown flew under the radar as a recruit and held one Power Four offer from Rutgers going into camp season. Behind the scenes, he added significant weight to his frame after rushing for 1,295 yards as a junior and then tested extremely well at Michigan, running a 4.55 40-yard-dash to go along with a 40-inch vertical. That performance led to an offer, and he committed almost immediately. 

He Said It

“I talked with my parents before everything happened so, if I did get the offer, we felt like it was the best decision for me to commit because of what Sherrone Moore is building at Michigan and knowing coach Alford and the backs that he has produced…I got the offer Thursday when I talked with coach Moore in his office, and then I committed the same day,” Brown said.

They Said It

“Since he’s been young, he’s been a game breaker-type player. He’s the kind of guy who could make explosive plays with the ball in his hands. And he’s always been that way since I remember, but, over this past year and a half, just the physical development and the growth. He put on 25 or 30 pounds of muscle. His numbers, like his 40 times and his vertical and all those types of things, are really, really impressive. It’s kind of all coming together.” — St. Francis DeSales head coach Ryan Wiggins.

Scouting Report

“Rutgers is the only other P4 school that extended a scholarship. However, he rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns at St. Francis DeSales last season. Brown also doubles as a high level baseball prospect. He’s drawn Division I interest as both a third baseman and outfielder. Brown is definitely a boom or bust recruit, but there is a lot to like about his athletic profile.

“Brown put up impressive testing numbers at Michigan’s camp. He measured in at a legit 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. He also posted a verified 4.55 40-yard-dash and a 40-inch vertical. Given those numbers and his baseball background, Brown could turn into a true diamond in the rough for Alford. But a lot will depend on his development.” — EJ Holland