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Chykie Brown on Duane Akina's Return, NFL Draft Lessons & 2025 Team Projection – The Girl Herd

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•05/06/25•

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Chykie Brown
Chykie Brown (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Former Texas cornerback Chykie Brown shares his memories of Duane Akina, from mentorship to mindset. He also breaks down his NFL Draft experience and why he’s optimistic about the 2025 Longhorns.

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Chykie Brown highlights the strong community and familial bond at North Shore High School in Houston, emphasizing how lifelong relationships and neighborhood sports created a tight-knit team culture that transitioned seamlessly into high school football.

There’s concern over the dwindling number of North Shore players funneling into the University of Texas. Brown discusses his efforts to rebuild that pipeline, mentioning recent high school talent and advocating for renewed recruitment by UT staff.

Brown critiques the current college football environment where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and transfer options might erode player hunger and discipline. He notes the contrast with his own era, where players had to grind to make the NFL without early financial rewards.

He praises Coach Akina’s approach, emphasizing internal competition that pushed players to improve daily, contrasting it with modern trends where players may transfer rather than fight for positions.

For newly drafted players, Brown advises maintaining hunger, staying punctual, participating in special teams, and showing commitment beyond just performance—especially for late-round picks.

Brown acknowledges current UT secondary talent but defends his era as more competitive, citing matchups with top-tier receivers and a disciplined, man-to-man defensive structure.

Looking at the 2025 season, Brown places Texas in the top three, supported by a strong recruiting class and high expectations for quarterback Arch Manning. He warns against early #1 rankings due to added pressure.

Brown appreciates the 12-team playoff format, which allows room for regular-season errors, contrasting it with the unforgiving BCS era.

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