University of Connecticut Athletics
Ardell Brown Looking to Leave His Mark
8/6/2019 12:16:00 PM | Football
STORRS, Conn. – Ardell Brown is walking the fine line that is laid in front of most graduate transfer student-athletes. On one side, remaining low-key and just trying to fit in as the new guy on the team. On the other, possessing the age and experience that calls for you to be a team leader.
Brown, a wide receiver who joins the football Huskies for the 2019 season after three successful seasons and graduation from Division II Seton Hill University (Greensburg, Pa.), seems to be navigating the fine line with ease --- due to an outgoing, engaging personality and football skills that can help UConn win.
"All the grad transfers who have come in are quality people," UConn coach Randy Edsall said. "They have ability and they possess the traits and the attributes that we look for in young people, whether they are high school kids, junior college kids, or grad transfers. Then, you look at the maturity level --- all of them are mature, hard workers, guys that did things the right way. If they are grad transfers, they have to be solid academically."
"A guy like Ardell, he'll be good for that room (wide receivers)." Edsall continued.
Brown, a Rochester, N.Y., native, might be small for a football player at 5-10, 185 pounds, but he is familiar with filling a big leadership role.
"Leadership is something I had to do at Seton Hill as well, even being a younger guy and playing early," he said. "I had to be able to pull guys along, because it's not just about me, it's about the team. That's something I hope I've brought with me – being able to relate and pull guys together because If I don't, what I've tried to do is worthless.
"One big thing I'm realizing is, I can pull from my experience in just relating to people. Being an older guy, but still around the same age group, I think it's easier for me to relate. But coming into a new program, it's a little shell-shocking – especially coming from Seton Hill, which is a Division II school.. But it's been great. Everybody's been welcoming me with open arms and I've made some really great brothers on this team and I'm really happy about it."
In fact, those are the feelings that drew Brown to UConn in the first place.
"I loved the family atmosphere here," he said. "It was cool that one of my trainers back home in Rochester knew Coach (Frank) Giufre (UConn offensive coordinator), so when Coach Giufre reached out, it was a win-win for me, because I knew somebody that trusted him. Then, when I came up on my visit, everybody was close-knit, they were a family – they were united and they all had one goal, and that was to win. This opportunity presented itself and I just said, 'Why not? Might as well just have fun for the last year.' "
A two-time all-conference pick at Seton Hill, Brown figures to be able to help. Relying on outstanding speed and sure hands, Brown set school records with 81 receptions for 1,267 yards last season, scoring nine touchdowns. He averaged 15.6 yards per catch and 115.2 receiving yards per game. In his three-year career, he made 159 catches for 2,425 yards.
"I would call myself a complete wide receiver," Brown said. "I know I'm a little bit smaller, but I would say I most look up to Antonio Brown (Oakland Raiders) -- his game, the way he works out, the focus and attention to detail that he takes to it is something I try to do every day. I love my hands and I think my running ability is great … just being able to break down the defense is something I pride myself in. And, I think I can stretch the defense by getting downfield."
Speed and good hands also sounds like the requirements for a kick and punt returner, an area where UConn also has a need.
""For me, being a kick and punt returner has been fun since I played Pop Warner football," Brown said. "That's always been something I've wanted to do and if the opportunity presents itself, I'll be glad to take that job."
As UConn works for the next few weeks at preparing for the 2019 season that begins on Aug. 29 against Wagner, Brown will continue to walk the fine line.
"It's not really about me, my impact," Brown said. "I'd rather really have a bigger impact on the teammates that I'm around and the people in the community than just football. Football can die at the end of the day, but relationships last forever."
