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Earnest Brown IV, EDGE, Northwestern – NFL Draft Player Profile
With hype over Rashawn Slater and Greg Newsome, is Northwestern edge Earnest Brown IV an under-the radar NFL Draft prospect from the Wildcats?
By Oliver Hodgkinson Published March 8, 2021
Earnest Brown IV, EDGE, Northwestern - NFL Draft Player Profile
Last year, the Northwestern Wildcats had no players drafted to the NFL. This year, they have a legitimate first-rounder in Rashawn Slater. They also have an ascending cornerback prospect in Greg Newsome II. Could Northwestern edge rusher Earnest Brown IV be another Wildcat that warrants attention in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Earnest Brown IV NFL Draft Profile
Position: EDGE
School: Northwestern
Current Year: Senior
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 270 pounds
Tony Pauline’s Earnest Brown IV Scouting Report
Positives: Athletic, underrated pass rusher whose college career was interrupted by injury. Fires off the snap with a quick first step, plays with excellent pad level, and gets leverage on opponents. Athletic, easily changes direction, and fluidly pursues the action. Plays with consistent knee bend, effectively uses his hands to shed blocks, and displays an inside move. Has a closing burst, makes big-league plays on occasion, and shows explosiveness.
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Negatives: Struggles against the run and gets stood up by blockers. Too often out-positioned from the action.
Analysis: Brown is a terrific next-level prospect with the size, athleticism, and growth potential, to be used in a variety of schemes. He displays speed as a pass rusher and excellent movement skills, and projects as a defensive end in a four-man line.
Earnest Brown IV Player Profile
He may be flying under-the-radar compared to his Northwestern teammates but edge rusher Earnest Brown IV arrived at Evanston under much different circumstances. He was one of the program’s highest-rated recruits. The former four-star high school prospect was the sixth-ranked defensive end in the 2017 class, and the 36th ranked player in Texas.
The edge rusher became highly regarded following a successful career at Billy Ryan High School. The Aubrey, Texas, native made a name for himself as a junior. With 21 tackles for loss and 9 sacks, Brown earned the District 5/6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
As a senior, he became the Texas District 5/6A Defensive Player of the Year following a season where he racked up 80 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Not only did he excel on the football field, but Brown is a true multi-sport athlete. He captained the Billy Ryan basketball team while also representing the school in the shot put and discus.
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As a result of his high school exploits, and his high standing in the recruiting standings, his recruitment as an edge rusher was heavy. In addition to local interests from Texas Tech, Baylor, Texas A&M, and Texas, he attracted national attention.
In March 2016, he committed to Northwestern, with the academic reputation of the institution a prime consideration. Although he had his eye turned by Ohio State in the months following, he stuck firm, enrolling at Northwestern in June of 2017.
