BYU just added depth to their offensive line as Miami starting RG Joe Brown is reportedly transferring to the Cougars. The 6'4" 320 lbs started in 3 games and made 7 appearances overall for the U. Brown is originally from Paramount, California. His transfer comes due to his desire to play closer to home.
The news comes per a report by 1280/97.5 the Zone's Hans Olsen:
Got off the phone with former Miami starting RG Joe Brown. He's a friend of ND TE transfer Tyler Luatua. Joe let me know he's coming to BYU.
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) February 9, 2016
Both Luatua and Brown are players from Los Angeles, California. Their hometowns separated by 12 miles. It is always nice when players have friends who are also good players.
In high school, Brown was a star defensive linemen. He was honored as a the San Gabriel Valley Defensive Player of the Year twice. He received two offers from Miami and UTEP. He was an unrated prospect. Perhaps due to his struggles academically in high school having to "make up a lot of classes..., going to summer school, and adult school." Late in the recruiting game, Brown improved his grades and SAT score. The result was Brown being a surprise recruit on the 2014 signing day for the Hurricanes.
Miami converted Brown from the defensive line to offensive line. We will wait and see where the BYU coaches elect to play Brown. However, Ty Detmer has been very open about his desire to have huge linemen for his offense. At 6'4" 320 lbs, Brown certainly is plenty big.
Per NCAA transfer rules, Brown will be required to sit out for a year before being able to suit up for the Cougars. Per Hans Olsen, Brown has already used his red-shirt year and so he will lose one of his three years of eligibility to the transfer.