Ji'Ayir Brown nabs interception of Patrick Mahomes to keep 49ers in the lead
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Ji’Ayir Brown grabbed an interception of Patrick Mahomes to keep them in front 10-3 over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The former Penn State star stepped in front of a throw intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling. However the 49ers ended up punting on the ensuing drive.
The good news is, Brown and the defense forced Kansas City to punt it right back.
In 15 regular season games, Brown finished with 35 total tackles, 22 solo tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections.
He was drafted with the No. 97 overall pick (third round) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
At the NFL Combine, Brown was asked to give his thoughts on the legacy that he left at Penn State.
“The legacy I left on the program goes far beyond the field,” Ji’Ayir Brown said. “I feel like the legacy I left on the program, the most important part of it, was my leadership on and off the field. That’s something that the coaches and the players can attest to and something that I’m proud of.”
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As a member of the Class of 2018, Brown was a three-star recruit out of Trenton (NJ.) Central, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 3 safety prospect in the class and the No. 37 overall prospect in the class.
Dre Greenlaw carted off with apparent Achilles injury
Brown will have to continue to play well in the backend without linebacker Dre Greenlaw. He was carted off with an apparent Achilles injury in the first half.
Prior to his exit from the game, Greenlaw had three tackles against the Chiefs. In the NFC divisional-round game, he had two interceptions, marking the first time in his five-year career that he posted multiple interceptions in a single game.
Without him, the 49ers missed a key piece of the middle of their defense.