The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/703389
PREP PROFILES Kennedale (Texas) High five‑ star linebacker Baron Browning has known Jim Harbaugh since his brother Barry Browning Jr. played at Stanford for him in 2010. On top of that, Wolverines assistant wide receiv‑ ers coach Drew Terrell played with Barry Jr. at Stanford, and they remain good friends. That familiar‑ ity has helped U‑M's chances in its recruitment of the nation's No. 6 overall prospect and No. 1 outside linebacker. After a n i m p r e s s i v e performance at the Rivals Five‑ Star Challenge in Atlanta in early June, Browning traveled to Ann Arbor for a visit and had a chance to spend time with the U‑M staff. "We just all were talking, and I was just getting a feel for Coach Har‑ baugh," Browning said. "We didn't talk about anything specific — he was just mostly talking to me about if I go there, striving to be better than every‑ one else and having a strong work ethic." At the Five‑Star Challenge, the 6‑3, 230‑pounder impressed enough to make the All‑Defensive team. Mike Farrell, a Rivals.com national analyst, broke down why he earned the honor. "Browning closed very well in the one‑on‑ones, and in seven‑on‑sevens showed toughness coming back from an injury and was never lost in cov‑ erage," Farrell said. "… He handled himself very well and made plays." Browning has listened to his broth‑ er's insight on Harbaugh and his staff. "We didn't talk about playing for Coach Harbaugh too much on the way there, but afterwards Barry said, 'One thing I will say about Coach Harbaugh is that he is going to get the best out of y o u , ' " B ro w n ‑ ing told Rivals. com. "He said that Coach Har‑ baugh is really competitive. He also talked about the strength and conditioning coach [Kevin Tolbert], because he was at Stanford with Coach Harbaugh too. "He said that Coach Tolbert would definitely have me right and ready to compete." Browning finished his junior sea‑ son with 74 tackles (five for loss), one sack, one interception, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked punts, and was an hon‑ orable mention selection on the Texas Sports Writers Association 4A All‑ State Team. Browning, who is expected to take an official visit to Ann Arbor at some point this fall, hopes to make his deci‑ sion by his father's birthday in No‑ vember. — Brandon Justice Texas Linebacker Has Connections To U-M ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Kennedale H.S. Kennedale, Texas Class: 2017 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 230 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 6 overall prospect in the country Baron Browning