Florida WR Brown Picks JMU

HARRISONBURG — James Madison coach Mike Houston called Reggie Brown to deliver a message the Rivals.com two-star wide receiver had been waiting for.

“We were on the phone and he offered me a full scholarship,” Brown said. “We had a great talk, me and Coach Houston.

“He just kept it real from the jump and he’s the one who told me that he wanted me there, so he just pulled the trigger. He’s the one who offered me.”

Brown committed to JMU last week after visiting for a one-day camp in late July.

Up until Houston’s phone call to Brown, the prospect hadn’t earned a scholarship from any of the schools that were recruiting him. Brown said Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, McNeese State, North Dakota and South Dakota all had him targeted.

“But, I don’t know if any of them really wanted to offer me,” Brown said. “They were just talking, but James Madison took that chance and that’s why I really love James Madison.”

Brown said he’ll play either inside or outside receiver at JMU, depending on which spot the Dukes’ coaching staff wants him to learn.

At Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Fla.), the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder plays mostly outside receiver.

He’s the fi rst player to commit from the state of Florida since Houston became coach last January. Currently the team has two Sunshine State natives — wide receiver Terrence Alls and cornerback Jimmy Moreland — on its roster.

“I really was surprised because I hadn’t heard of the school until coach [Fontel] Mines [direct] messaged me,” Brown said. “I didn’t know anything about the school.

“But we drove up there and it’s a little different, but I thought the weather was still the same. I thought it would be a little colder, but it was still hot. It was a long drive, about 13 hours, so next time we’re definitely going to be flying up.”