Ji'Ayir

Brown

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that his starting safety “likely” has a torn ACL, which is a brutal blow for the third-year player. Hufanga came up to try to tackle Rachaad White in the open field and his knee appeared to buckle as he planted to change directions. He left the stadium on crutches and will undergo further testing. The drive right after he missed the game, the Bucs targeted his replacement, third-round rookie Ji’Ayir Brown, and drove the ball 77 yards down the field. However, Brown also intercepted a tipped pass to the seal the win. The rookie will be counted on to step up big for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

A junior college transfer, Brown (5’11/203) thrived with the Nittany Lions, finishing fifth in solo tackles each of the last two seasons while recording 10 interceptions. Brown also increased his rush responsibilities last year, posting 15 pressures to go along with a phenomenal 90.6 pass rush grade that was the fourth-highest mark nationally. A moveable chess piece, Brown played 682 career snaps at free safety, 510 in the box, and 259 in the slot. A strong, compact player who pushed out 18 bench reps at the Combine (80th percentile), Brown’s ramp-up speed was confirmed by a very commendable 1.56s 10-yard split (83rd percentile) and 4.21s shuttle (71st percentile). Though his 4.65 40-yard dash (37th percentile) and 32.5” vertical (28th percentile) leave something to be desired, Brown makes up for a lack of elite traits with a willingness to mix it up on the interior and crash down in run support. A high football IQ player who relishes the enforcer role, Brown has the skills and makeup to be a core defensive contributor on the NFL level.

The Jim Thorpe Award is awarded annually to the best defensive back in the nation, and Penn State boasts two of the best in Brown (5'11/205) and Porter. Last season, Brown totaled 73 tackles and six interceptions -- receiving a PFF coverage grade of 77.5. Porter managed 46 tackles and one interception in 2021 while allowing 33 receptions for 370 yards and two touchdowns per PFF -- receiving a coverage grade of 70.1 Playing in a stout Big Ten, both Brown and Porter could catch the eyes of voters if Penn State replicates their defensive success from last season. The Lions ranked seventh in points per game allowed last season (17.3), but have lost several key players on the defensive side of the ball.

Brown (5'11/205) has already committed to returning to Penn State in 2022, but may want to reconsider that decision after the way he closed out the 2021 college football season. Brown forced two interceptions of Arkansas on the afternoon, with both interceptions coming in the first half that helped give Penn State a 10-7 lead at halftime. Brown finishes his season with six interceptions on the season after failing to record a pick 2020.

Brown’s (5'11/205) return to Penn State is great news for the Lions, who have already lost linebacker Ellis Brooks to the 2022 NFL Draft. This season, Brown started all 12 games for the Lions, totaling 65 tackles including three pass breakups and four interceptions per Pro Football Focus. Brown allowed just 17 receptions for 184 yards and three touchdowns on the year, and an 80.4 quarterback rating to opposing QBs.