PISCATAWAY – It was almost exactly three years ago when Sam Brown had his breakout performance in a Rutgers football win over Indiana, surpassing 100 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown as a true freshman.
Brown joined the Scarlet Knights as part of the 2022 recruiting class, picking Greg Schiano’s program from a long list of offers from major programs. His showing against the Hoosiers provided a glimpse of the talent Rutgers had landed in Brown.
But that Oct. 22, 2022 game against Indiana was also the beginning of a string of injuries that has hampered Brown during his time in a Rutgers uniform. He suffered a broken foot late in that game and needed surgery that required an arduous recovery and rehab to get back on the field.
Then last season he was limited to just five games because of another frustrating leg injury that, again, brought another long rehab process.
“It wasn’t easy,” Brown said. “It was a lot of hard work. That’s just thank to our staff here, coaches, teammates, trainers. They helped me to get to where I am to where I am game ready, I am in shape.”
Brown made his season debut in the Scarlet Knights’ loss to Minnesota on Sept. 27, recording five carries in a limited role.
But the fact the 6-foot-1, 218-pound Brown, who played at La Salle College High School in Philadelphia, was available at all is significant.
And after the Scarlet Knights, who play at Washington on Oct. 10 (9 p.m. ET, FS1) lost CJ Campbell to a season-ending injury, Brown could provide help in the running back rotation that includes starter Antwan Raymond and Ja’shon Benjamin.
It’s unclear at this point just how much of a role Brown will have in the near term, but there is a plan in place.
“He was a little rusty,” coach Greg Schiano said of Brown’s performance against Minnesota. “That’s not full-steam Sam. But Sam’s pretty good even when he’s not full steam. We need to get him back to where he was, where he has true confidence in that leg. We have a plan, I’m not going to share that plan because that would be a competitive disadvantage but we have a plan for Sam’s return. We’re kind of working that plan.”
Still, Brown is confident he’s on his way to getting back to “full steam.”
“The goal’s always to come back better and stronger,” Brown said. “I think it just comes from repetition. Coach Schiano preaches practice is everything. Just getting those reps in practice is going to be really big for my development as a player.”
Brown didn’t deny the mental aspect – overcoming the injury provided a “mental hurdle.” But those reps in practice, along with the carries against Minnesota, went a long way and “my confidence is up,” Brown said.
Rutgers has the luxury of being able to ease Brown back in.
Raymond has run extremely well, so far rushing for 471 yards with nine touchdowns this season. His tough, physical running style offers reminders of Kyle Monangai.
But Brown can help Rutgers’ running game. He’s proven that plenty of times before.
It’s just a matter of staying healthy.
“I’m just trying to get better,” Brown said. “My injury was tough. It’s been a long road to recovery. I’m just focused on getting better. I know as a time goes on, I’ll be where I want to be.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football RB Sam Brown ready to contribute after injuries
