Sooners Receiving Corps Strengthened With Brown

Penn State transfer Justin Brown gives the Sooners needed receiver depth and adds versatility.

Tuesday, August 7th 2012, 11:44 pm

By: News 9


Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops announced on Tuesday that senior transfer wide receiver Justin Brown has officially joined the Sooners.

Brown comes to Norman after spending three seasons at Penn State. During his time in Happy Valley, Brown saw the field in 30 games, hauling in 73 receptions for 1,047 yards (14.9 avg.) with three touchdowns. His ranks 20th in Penn State history for career receiving yards. He also returned 49 punts for 338 yards – 6.9 average – with a 33-yard long.

Brown arrived in Norman on Monday night and practiced with the team on Tuesday without full pads because of NCAA rules that won't allow him to put on pads until the third practice.

"We are excited that Justin wants to finish his college career here at OU," Stoops said. "Justin started 11 games last season and was a productive performer on offense and special teams. We are confident that he can quickly integrate with our team. We're looking forward to the experience and maturity he will add to our receiving corps."

Brown was the only Penn State player to have at least one catch in every game last season, ranking second on the Nittany Lions with 35 catches for 517 yards and three touchdowns. He registered a career-long 69-yard touchdown reception in the TicketCity Bowl against Houston.

Adding in his duties as a return man for Penn State, he took 731 snaps in 2011, the highest total of any Penn State wide receiver or running back.

Stoops likes the versatility and work ethic Brown has brought with him.

"He's been fighting his butt off in the Big 10 for three years; he's been productive," Stoops said. "He's been awfully good and he was incredibly impressive out there in one day. He can run; he's got strong hands and he's a natural punt returner, which is something else we were really excited about with him."

Brown is able to play immediately for the Sooners because of the NCAA sanctions placed on Penn State last month. As part of the NCAA's ruling, Penn State players are allowed to transfer to any FBS team without sitting out a year.

"It was very difficult under the circumstances but it was the decision that was best for me and my family," Brown said. "There's no disrespect to Penn State and the players. I still talk to the players. They're still part of my family. I still talk to them every day. I'm trying to get to know a new family now."

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