Alabama five-star CB Zabien Brown signs with GSE for NIL representation

Zabien Brown immediately entered the Alabama cornerback rotation this spring.

The five-star recruit in the 2024 class enrolled early, arriving in Tuscaloosa in early January. He stuck with the Crimson Tide throughout Nick Saban’s retirement and the hiring of Kalen DeBoer. With Alabama’s top two cornerbacks from 2023 off to the NFL draft, there was plenty of opportunity for Brown.

The second-ranked recruit coming out of California in the cycle stepped up, starting in the Tide’s spring opposite from USC transfer Domani Jackson. Alabama picked up Wake Forest cornerback DaShawn Jones in May, adding depth to the cornerback room.

Zabien Brown will play a key role in the secondary in the 2024 season. Expected to be one of the top freshmen in the nation, the 6-foot, 180-pound cornerback has now signed NIL representation. Brown will be repped by GSE Worldwide.

The marketing agency has an NFL client list that includes Jaylen Waddle, Vonn Bell, DeMarcus Lawrence and Xavien Howard. The firm has branched out into NIL, too, working with Utah quarterback Cam Rising, Texas running back Jerrick Gibson and a growing list of top golfers.

Brown has now joined the agency, working directly with GSE’s executive vice president of marketing, Russ Spielman. GSE also repped former Alabama star receiver John Metchie in NIL.

“Zabien, you can’t say enough about a kid from California who can come all the way out here and learn the defense and compete,” Alabama co-defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler said this spring. “So focused and just doing everything we ask.”

The former top-100 prospect went through College Football Playoff semifinal preparations with Alabama this past season. Brown also participated in the All-American Bowl, where he earned recognition as a “top overall” and “stock-up” performer by On3.

Now he’s ready to contribute at Alabama as a true freshman and build out his NIL portfolio working with GSE.

“He operates in a controlled and coordinated manner and rarely found himself out of position throughout the week. We saw the Crimson Tide signee get his hands on several passes in practice and he made a few plays in coverage during Saturday’s game, as well,” On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power wrote after the All-American Bowl. “He had no trouble adjusting to the speed of the top wide receivers on hand. The technical acuity and experience along with his good size points to a high floor and a prospect who could push for early playing time at the college level if necessary.”