Davonte Brown shares how brother Damari has adjusted to college football

Davonte Brown joined Miami this offseason through the transfer portal after playing three seasons at UCF. But his brother Damari also joined the team this offseason as a part of their 2023 recruiting class, as the two look forward to their first game for the Hurricanes this Friday.

Davonte was recently asked if he’s given his brother any advice ahead of his first college game, and pulled back the curtain on that conversation and their special bond.

“Just watching him come in, even from the summer, I’ve just been excited to be here with him because that’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Brown said. “He has been listening to me, trying to take heed. I’m seeing the transition from high school to college, he’s understanding that what he did in high school, things are different now.”

Damari Brown was a four-star prospect out of high school, ranked the No. 22 cornerback and the No. 182 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class according to On3’s Industry Rankings.

But his big brother Davonte brings a little bit more experience to the table, recording 86 tackles, three interceptions, and 17 passes defended in his three seasons UCF.

“So just trying to help him make that adjustment, talking to him, staying in his ear because we see the potential that he has. He just has to put it all together and come to practice hard every day and he’s gonna be alright. But just playing with my brother, that’s a thing a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do, so you’re not taking it for granted,” Brown explained.

Friday may be Davonte’s first rodeo for the Hurricanes, but not at large, as he started in 31 of his 36 game appearances for the Knights throughout his career. But as little brother heads into his first collegiate game, he shared his sage advice that many freshmen could learn from ahead of their first games this upcoming season.

“For the first college game, I know he’ll probably be a little nervous, jitters. But I tell him it’s just football, you’ve been playing this game your whole life so go out there and just have fun,” Brown said. “I feel like that’s the most important thing. Don’t be too uptight, have fun out there with your teammates. And as a DB, try not to think too much, just play to what you see on the field and react, and have fun, and make plays.”

And even though Davonte is the big brother, he shared parts of his little brother’s game that he admires and could use in his own game ahead of his Hurricanes’ debut.

“On the field, I’d say I like how he plays with a physical tenacity and he plays the game like a bully. He likes to be physical, so I feel like that’s one thing on the field,” Brown said.

The Brown brothers will make their highly anticipated Miami debut this Friday, as the Hurricanes square off against Miami (Ohio) at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network.