011508 SAMMY BATTEN ::: Waiting game pays off for Brown [fb-r]

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New Hanover head coach Kevin Motsinger had one word for senior offensive tackle C.J. Brown during the 2007 season when scholarship offers were pouring in for high-profile teammate Nick Becton.

“Patience,’’ Motsinger told the 6-foot-5, 295-pound Brown, who played the tackle position opposite Becton, a first-team all-state pick and Shrine Bowl all-star who committed to Virginia Tech in December. Becton had entertained offers from the likes of Alabama, East Carolina, N.C. State, Penn State and South Carolina before choosing the Hokies.

Brown, however, was still without a major-college scholarship offer of any sort entering January, even though Motsinger believes he’s in the same class as Becton as a blocker.

“I was frustrated throughout the year because I didn't feel like people were giving him the looks he deserved,’’ Motsinger said. “I just kept telling him to be patient and his time would come. It did.’’

The result was worth the wait when East Carolina came through with a scholarship offer. Brown accepted the opportunity last weekend while in Greenville on an official recruiting visit. He chose the Pirates despite increasing interest from Georgia Tech and its new head coach, Paul Johnson.

The decision came as a relief to Brown, a three-year varsity starter at New Hanover.

“I feel really good right now,’’ Brown said Monday morning. "I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest.

“For a minute there I didn’t know where I was going to go. East Carolina started showing interest in me like the fourth or fifth game of my senior season. But that didn’t develop into anything until about two weeks ago. I went there for my official visit and I just felt like there was a family atmosphere in Greenville. It was the right place for me.’’

Brown is the 12th player to join the Pirates' recruiting class and he’s the fourth offensive lineman. Bolstering the depth in its blocking corps has been one of the priorities for ECU in recruiting this year.

Snaring a scholarship to a Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A) program is something Brown has worked diligently for since enrolling at New Hanover as a freshman.

“My ninth-grade year I was horrible, and my 10th-grade year I wasn’t all that either,’’ said Brown, who was a varsity starter as a sophomore. “But I think when I was a sophomore is when I started thinking about how to improve my play.

“I just started working hard at it. I knew I wasn’t a top blocker, and I wanted to be one of the best in the state. I went to a few camps, I started working hard in the weight room and doing drills to help my footwork with Coach Motsinger. I even worked with a track coach.’’

Motsinger arrived at New Hanover following Brown’s sophomore season. He inherited a pair of big, talented offensive linemen in Becton and Brown. Becton, however, was just starting his football career after previously concentrating on basketball. Brown had been used primarily as a pass blocker under the previous coaching staff and needed to learn about run blocking.

“Maybe two or three times a game they ran the football,’’ Motsinger said. “It was all pass, pass, pass. So they had the pass blocking down pat. But they had to be taught to run block, to fire off the ball and to stay low.’’

Both players learned quickly, but it was the 6-6, 285-pound Becton who became a star among college recruiters. Instead of pouting about his lack of attention, Brown became Becton’s biggest booster.

“I was just happy for him,’’ Brown said. “That’s my best friend. We’ve known each other since middle school. I just kept believing my time would come.’’

Motsinger believes Brown’s best football is ahead of him. Brown just recently turned 17 and will only get bigger and stronger.