BY GENE NARDI
Royal Palm Beach High School standout Davon Brown is looking ahead to his college football career with the Florida Atlantic University football team in the fall. The Big Board No. 11 athlete has turned many heads his last two years with the Wildcats.
The Belle Glade native started on the junior varsity team his freshman year and was shortly moved up to the varsity squad. From there, he honed his skills to earn a starting position in his junior season as a cornerback for the Wildcats defense, where he earned all-county second team.
His senior year, coach Willie Bueno named Brown team captain. Brown welcomed the responsibility of leading his team through the season.
“Coach Bueno provided me the guidance to stay on the right track, and helped me focus on my grades,” Brown said. “I have a lot of respect for him.”
Brown helped direct his team to a regional quarterfinal appearance against perennial power St. Thomas Aquinas. By the season’s end, Brown had earned all-county first team, and all-state second team.
He also made two all-star game appearances, the Florida vs. Georgia Clash of the Scholar Athletes and the Palm Beach County All-Star Game.
Brown compiled 12 interceptions in his last two years and had two returned for touchdowns.
Brown also contributed on the team’s offense as a running back and slot receiver, where he racked up 11 touchdowns in his senior season.
Although Brown was never less than stellar on offense, it was his ability to read opposing team’s offensive schemes from the other side of the ball that drew so much attention from colleges.
“Studying film is always a very important part of my training,” Brown said.
Throughout the season, Brown earned a reputation of being able to break up any pass play that came his way, as he demonstrated in the Florida/Georgia All-Star Game.
Western Kentucky, the University of Central Florida, Colorado State, the University of South Dakota and the University of Miami were just some of the schools on a long list that expressed interest in Brown. It was the Owls’ program, though, that captured Brown’s interest. He related to their philosophy, and felt an immediate acceptance, he said.
“They told me I had a real chance to compete and play as a freshman,” Brown said. “Being close to home was also a benefit so my mother and grandmother could come to the home games.”
His off-the-field commitment is equally impressive. Brown continues to perform, not just in the weight room, but on the Wildcats track team as well.
Brown continues to focus on improving his speed and strength prior to making the transition in June.
Brown gives credit to his older brother Terry Brown, who once excelled in football at Glades Central High School and was a top college prospect, but an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury cut his football career short.
“My brother missed out, and I want to make him proud,” Brown said. “He is there for me, and he’s my inspiration.”
Brown may be just embarking on his college football career, but he already has his plan for life after football, planning to major in business.
“I want to have my own business, and work in sports management and maybe coaching as well,” Brown said.
He will most likely be lined up as a corner or nickel back for the Florida Atlantic Owls. Brown is sure to make a lot of noise on the turf for the Owls in the fall. To follow Brown and the FAU Owls this fall, visit www.fausports.com.
ABOVE: Royal Palm Beach cornerback Davon Brown returns an interception for a touchdown in a game against Palm Beach Lakes.
