Former South Carolina wide receiver Ahmarean Brown adjusting to life, professional career with Cleveland Browns
When former South Carolina wide receiver Ahmarean Brown signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns, he knew he was putting himself into an unfamiliar situation.
“I kind of didn’t know what to expect coming up to Ohio because I’ve never been to Ohio. Getting off that plane, everything was kind of new to me,” Brown said in a June 19 episode of The Dawgs Podcast. “I was just hearing stuff, talking to a few guys. I actually met a few people who were from Ohio, and I kind of got some insight about Cleveland and stuff like that.”
In the months since then, Brown has been acclimating to life as a professional football player in the city. He is aiming to crack the Browns’ 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 regular season, with training camp set to begin on Monday, July 22.
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During his collegiate career, Brown played primarily as a wide receiver at both Georgia Tech and South Carolina. But he also gained experience as a punt and kick returner, which could serve him well in the professional ranks.
Brown said he is willing to play at any of those positions — more specifically, wherever he’s asked to. He added that this upcoming season will be an exciting one for returners after rule changes for kickoffs were made during the offseason.
The new rule, which comes from the XFL’s format, will allow for more kickoff returns and less injuries in games. Kickers will still kick off from their own 35-yard line. However, the other 10 members of the kicking team will line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line. The NFL will implement this rule on a one-year basis.
“It’s something that I think the whole league is going to have to get used to because nobody has any film. I mean, we can go watch the XFL or UFL and look at their film, but it’s different when you actually have to do it. So, I think it’s going to be a process,” Brown said. “There’s just going to be a buildup until people see what other people do and see what works for them for it to be really good.”
Brown said he has been spending plenty of time with the Browns’ other rookies, whether it be practicing on the field or playing video games. But he has also gotten closer to some of the team’s veterans, specifically in the wide receiver room. He said these veterans have helped him transition into life as a professional.
Among the veterans he has become close with is Jaelon Darden, a third-year wide receiver. Darden previously played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and collegiately at North Texas.
“Me and JD, Jaelon Darden, since we’ve been here, we’ve been super tight,” Brown said. “He’s also a guy kind of built like me, so he understands the things that I have to go though. He’s kind of been that guy who’s really been by my side, and he’s been willing to help with anything.”
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Brown said Cedric Tillman, a second-year wide receiver, has also been a valuable mentor to him and other rookies. The Tennessee alumnus has gone out of his way to help his less experienced teammates, Brown said.
“He was a rookie last year, and he basically went through the same process a year ago. It was good having him here right after rookie mini camp. He was just a guy who was willing to help,” Brown said. “A lot of guys in the league, you don’t have to be there. You hear about a lot of guys who feel like they shouldn’t mentor rookies, or they don’t have to be there for rookies, just because it’s our job to have to do. But, first and foremost, Ced was a guy who came in, and he was willing to help. He was doing stuff that he didn’t have to do. Me and Jamari (Thrash) definitely appreciated Ced for that.”
Brown will head into the Cleveland Browns’ training camp with some NFL practice experience. Upon signing his free agent deal, he participated in rooking minicamp and offseason organized team activities.
With the beginning of the regular season around the corner, Brown said he can’t wait to get to work.
“I can’t complain. I’m blessed to be here,” Brown said. “This is an opportunity that a lot of guys don’t get. So, who am I to come up here and complain about stuff? I’m happy that the Browns organization’s believed in me enough to welcome me to the team. I’m just excited to get rolling.”
