University of Connecticut Athletics
Getting to Know the Freshmen: OL Rayonte Brown
11/4/2019 12:46:00 PM | Football
Offensive lineman Rayonte Brown is the latest freshman we got to interview. Brown is from Baltimore, Maryland, where he played both football and basketball at Dundalk High School. He is yet to make his collegiate debut, but he has been a key part of the team's developmental squad this season and will be ready when his name is called.
Q: Why did you decide to come to UConn?
RB: I felt like there was a big family atmosphere with the coaches and everybody here. When I came on my visit, that was what really struck me to sign here and come up to UConn.
Q: What's your favorite thing about playing football at UConn in your first year?
RB: My favorite thing is everybody gets their opportunities to work, go hard and just be together with everybody. That's what I love most.
Q: The offensive line is probably the most veteran group on the team. What's it been like learning and working with them all year?
RB: It's been good. It's definitely made me a better football player because all the older guys, they kind of took me under their wing to make me better to be the best that I can be. I'm just trying to make them proud when I start playing and be good.
Q: What's the atmosphere of that offensive line unit?
RB: We're real tight, we're real close. It's a family now. If we got a problem, we figure it out. We ask each other, we tell them what's up. We talk to each other every day.
Q: Offensive linemen tend to be the most underappreciated players on the field. Why do you think that is?
RB: We're not the small guys that make the big plays, but we're the ones that are up front first. People really don't pay attention up front.
Q: Do you think o-linemen deserve some more respect?
RB: I mean we don't really need it. We just work hard on the field.
Q: For you, what's been the biggest transition from high school to college football?
RB: Basically just the speed of the game. Coming up here, I had only been playing tackle for a year. So then coming from high school to up here, everything's bigger, faster, stronger. So that's been the big change for me.
Q: What do you feel is the strongest part of your game?
RB: My mind. I know how to put things in my head and go do it. If you tell me to do something, I'll put it in my head like I'm going to get it. I'm going to go out and get that.
Q: What's something you'd like to continue to improve on?
RB: Really just my weight. I'm trying to get up to that weight and get on the field.
Q: You said you only played tackle for a year before coming here. How much tougher did that make your adjustment not having that much experience?
RB: It wasn't really that tough. Football is gonna be football. When I came up here, I knew I was going to have to fight stronger and go harder. So that's really what I'm doing now is just trying to get on the position.
Q: What did play before that?
RB: I played defensive end and tight end.
Q: What's something you'd like UConn fans to know about you?
RB: I'm from Baltimore, Maryland. I've been there my whole life. My favorite team is the Ravens, and I'm actually familiar with Navy. I played there for a championship.
Q: What's something you'd like to accomplish over your time here at UConn?
RB: Help us get to a bowl game.
