Panther set to tackle the next challenge

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Every time he lines up, Kyle Brown is focused on the guy in front of him. 

As an offensive lineman, Brown acts as a barrier between his tailback and opposing defenses, providing a wall of protection for his teammates.

Brown started every game for Bradenton Christian this past season, playing every offensive snap, while helping Panthers running back Zach Cooper break the school’s single-season rushing record. 

With his high school career behind him, Brown, who graduated from Bradenton Christian May 22, will now focus his attention on a new set of defenders. 

Brown spent six years playing for the East Manatee Bulldogs before attending Bradenton Christian, and he will continue his football career at Division III Geneva College, in Beaver Falls, Pa. 

“I have a chance to do what very few people ever get the opportunity to do,” Brown says. “All of the hard work is paying off.” 

“I have a chance to do what very few people ever get the opportunity to do. All of the hard work is paying off.” 

– Kyle Brown

Brown was accepted to six other schools, including Dordt College, the University of West Florida, Florida Atlantic University and the University of South Florida, among others. 

Brown chose Geneva College for its engineering program, which has helped place all of its graduating seniors over the past 10 years, as well as for the opportunity to continue playing football. He plans to study mechanical engineering. 

While playing for the Bulldogs, Brown says he learned the importance of mental and physical toughness. Those attributes helped him secure his dream of playing college football, and eventually he hopes to use that toughness to follow in the footsteps of Hobart College offensive lineman Ali Marpet, who was drafted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers after attending a Division III school. 

“I want to be the next for that,” Brown says.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].