Living the dream
Ashdown native, Razorback takes responsibility as role model seriously
ASHDOWN, Ark. — Most children who grow up playing football in the state of Arkansas dream of one day playing for the University of Arkansas.
Ashdown native Montaric Brown is doing just that.
“When I left high school, I had goals I wanted to accomplish,” Brown said. “I want to become a SEC All-American. I’ve matured a lot and I know my responsibilities. I know my role. I have a lot more to prove this upcoming season. “
Brown started all 10 games for the Hogs last year collecting 39 tackles, 25 solo, three pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery.
“To play cornerback in the SEC, you have to be confident,” Brown said. “If you mess up on a play, you have to have a short memory. Nowadays, you give up a big play, they’re going to pick on you the entire game. It’s a certain mindset that you have to have. You have to keep competing.
“In the SEC, you’re competing every weekend with the best players in the country.
That’s one the main reasons why I chose to come to the SEC, to compete against the best college football players in the nation. At the end of the day, it’s a mentality you have to develop to be a successful defensive back in the SEC.”
Brown has endured three head coaches during his career with the Hogs (Bret Bielema, Chad Morris and Sam Pittman), but he’s not letting that stop his development defensively.
“You have to trust the coach that’s leading you,” Brown said.
“I’ve seen the good and the bad. You may have a stronger bond with one coach than another, but you have to sit down and communicate with your position coach. You have to figure out the coach’s expectations for you. You have to trust the process and trust the program’s plan for you.”
Brown has accepted the leadership role in the defensive back room, having played in 21 games, while starting 13.
“I’m just trying to be the best leader for the younger guys that I can be,” Brown said. “I’m trying to set the example for those guys and try to help them improve their game. If they have questions or need help with anything, they know they can come to me. I’m a leader to the defensive backs but I’m also working on being a better leader for the team. If anyone ever needs anything, they know they can come to me. I’m here to help them.”
Brown also acknowledges his role model responsibility to the children in Ashdown and throughout Little River County.
“I had no idea that this many people actually looks up to me,” Brown said. “Coming from a small town, everyone knows each other. When I come home, it’s an amazing feeling to have people telling me they’re rooting for me and they want me to be successful.
“I just want to motivate the younger kids in Ashdown to keep grinding, I want them to know that if they put in the hard work and take care of their schoolwork, they can be on the big stage. I want them to be bigger than where I am. I want all of them to know they can go to a SEC school too, if they put in the work.”