Brown latest to declare for draft
NORMAN — When Marquise Brown arrived at Oklahoma for his sophomore season after spending time at California’s College of the Canyons, he was tiny by high school standards let alone Division I standards.
“I’ve been undersized all my life so that’s never stopped me,” Brown said shortly after he arrived at just 144 pounds.
But Brown added weight — and strength — while keeping his blazing speed and became one of the top receivers in Oklahoma history.
Wednesday, Brown decided to forego his final season of eligibility with the Sooners and enter the NFL Draft.
“I want to say thank you for always believing in me and taking a chance on an undersized kid looking to play on a big stage,” Brown posted in part in a Tweet announcing his decision. “To Coach Riley, Coach Simmons and the rest of the staff, I want to say thank you for always pushing me to better myself each and every day.
I love you guys for that.”
It took Brown a few games to break into the starting lineup in 2017. He didn’t play at Ohio State in the second game of the year despite being healthy.
But a week later, Brown showed off how dangerous his speed could be with an 87-yard touchdown catch late against Tulane.
A week after that, he made his first start against Baylor and from then on he was Oklahoma’s most dynamic receiver when healthy.
Four weeks later, broadcaster Gus Johnson dubbed him “Hollywood” thanks to Brown’s Florida hometown. Two weeks after that, the nickname became widespread after Brown set an OU record with 265 yards receiving on nine catches.
This season against West Virginia, Brown had 243 yards on 11 catches to also take the No. 2 slot on OU’s single-game receiving yards list.
Brown was limited through the middle portion of the season by an ankle injury but never missed a start. In the Big 12 Championship Game, he hurt his foot.
The injury limited his effectiveness in Saturday’s Orange Bowl, as he was held without a catch.
Brown finishes his college career No. 9 overall on OU’s career receptions list and No. 6 in career receiving yards.
He became the second Sooners player in as many days to decide to make the leap. Tuesday, offensive lineman Cody Ford — who played tackle this season for the Sooners but projects as a guard in the NFL — announced his decision to leave.
They don’t figure to be the final ones to announce either.
Quarterback Kyler Murray doesn’t figure to come back to the Sooners, though whether or not he’ll opt to honor his baseball contract with the Oakland A’s or give the NFL a try remains in the air.
Offensive tackle Bobby Evans also remains a candidate to enter the draft.