Justin Brown Quickly Becoming A Major Asset For Sooners

In a way, it's sad former Penn State wide receiver Justin Brown transferred from State College to Norman.

It's sad that any of the horrific things happened at Penn State over the past decade or so, but no one can undo them now.

No one can undo Brown's arrival at OU either, but no one at OU, or Brown for that matter, is exactly wanting to.

Since coming to OU, Brown has been electric, proving his worth as a dynamic punt returner and a big, strong, physical receiver. Through two games, Brown has sprung a 26-yard punt return, a 43-yard return, and a 62-yard return in addition to catching six passes for 87 yards.

But more than his talents on the field, Brown has been influencing his teammates with his maturity and the way he handles himself on and off the field.

"What a wonderful kid he is, just in every single way," wide receivers coach Jay Norvell said Monday. "Just talking about a kid being really respectful with his opportunities, he's the greatest example of that."

He's a real blessing for us to have. The impact he's making on special teams, just being a solid guy and a great player that's really affected our younger players."

Brown's maturity was evident to many when he based his decision to come to OU strictly upon whether or not his classes at OU would transfer back to Penn State so he could graduate in December. If that wasn't a possibility, Brown wasn't coming to Norman, no matter how much he could help OU.

"If I had tried to get my degree here (at OU), it would have taken me two more semesters," Brown said. "I had already put a lot of time and working hard and staying up for summers classes and all that since my freshman year so I felt like I wanted to get my degree now. That meant a lot to me and my family."

The transition hasn't been a piece of cake for Brown on the football field. He's had to learn a completely new playbook, which he said he doesn't know completely, and work out timing with a new (to him) quarterback and receivers.

"I feel it's coming along good with Landry and Trey (Metoyer)," Brown said. "We're always staying after and working pass patterns and just trying to get that timing down. You're always looking for improvements. If we keep working hard and making progress, we'll be fine."

Brown's transition off the field has been just as difficult, if not more so because it's a new town, new teammates, and he has to build new relationships with people. Brown described it as coming to a new school halfway through the year, but said everyone has welcomed him with open arms.

"I can't even single out anyone," Brown said. "It's made it a lot easier. Ever since I've been in Oklahoma, everybody's been real welcoming. Fans, people out around campus, everybody's been real welcoming. That's made it a lot easier."

It hasn't been anyone in particular either. Brown has said the entire team has rallied around him in support since he arrived.

"I think it's been more of a collective group," Brown said. "Ever since the first day when I was introduced, everybody's been out there reaching out and making sure everything's ok."

The circumstances couldn't be worse, but both Brown and Oklahoma are doing their best to make the most of the situation.