After a stellar high school playing career, Union City’s Keaten Brown isn’t quite ready to turn in his shoulder pads.
School Communications Director Mike Hutchens said Brown, who helped lead the Golden Tornadoes to back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances and was chosen as an All-Stater after his senior campaign, says he’ll accept an invitation to join the UT Martin program in the fall as a preferred walk-on.
A preferred walk-on is assured of a spot on the team but includes no scholarship money the first year.
“I didn’t want to get down the road as an adult and have regrets of not playing when I had the opportunity,” Brown said. “At first, I really didn’t know if it was what I wanted to do.
“But I’ve loved the game and have so many great memories of playing already. And you can’t go back as an adult and play football like you can some of the other sports.”
A two-way standout at quarterback and linebacker on the prep level, Brown is unsure of his position with the Skyhawks. He said he’ll likely redshirt in his first season while bulking up in the weight room and learning schemes on the defensive side of the ball.
The triggerman in the Tornadoes’ triple-option attack, Brown rushed for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. For his career, he ran for 2,645 yards and 68 TDs and threw for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He was also a defensive standout, ranking third on the team in tackles. He was slotted at the ‘athlete’ position on the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State team and was chosen to play in the annual West Tennessee All-Star game after his senior campaign.
Brown chose the UTM opportunity over a handful of other options to play at the next level, including at Austin Peay, Bethel University, and Bluffton (Ohio).
