The first year of college football can be a whirlwind for a lot of players. They’re brought to a tougher level of competition with more nuance to learn in schemes and technique.
Kansas freshman Trey Brown hasn’t had that issue so far. From spring ball to fall camp, Brown has consistently shown a readiness to perform right away. The key to success for Brown has been pretty simple: just take in the guidance from teammates and coaches.
“I feel like I’ve been pretty prepared by my coaches and the guys around me helping me out,” Brown said. “Being a freshman and getting taken under the wings of my teammates really helps.”
Multiple coaches on the KU staff have noticed Brown’s readiness to play as a true freshman. They’ve seen the work Brown puts in during film study pay off when the team gets on the field.
“For a guy who just enrolled in January, the moment’s not too big for him,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said after an Aug. 14 practice. “He handles things well. He takes coaching. He learns every day. He’s in asking questions. It’s extremely important to him. So really like where he’s at right now and he’s a guy that may have to play.”
Film study is the most important part of learning to play at the college level, and Brown has been particularly focused on that, especially during the summer ahead of fall camp. Kansas defensive backs coach Brandon Shelby called him a “football junkie” due to Brown’s consistent presence in the building. He’s taken in the coaching and put that into practice.
“You knew that (in) recruitment, you could just tell the way he carried himself,” Shelby said. “Those same things we saw in high school, he’s done a great job, especially as a freshman coming in early.”
Those first few months were a major learning experience for Brown. Everybody was moving faster than he was, and he had a lot more to think about every play. But he’s gotten quicker, both mentally and physically.
In the process, Brown has become a serious candidate to play at nickel, a challenging position that requires the coverage skill of an outside cornerback and the run defense of an outside linebacker. Through his eight months at KU, playing from the slot is what Brown has had to get the most comfortable with.
“Playing against those bigger guys, the linemen and tight ends… not just covering but getting off blocks and then filling my gap,” Brown said.
Another Jayhawk on the roster had a similarly hot start to his career in the defensive back room. Jalen Todd was an immediate contributor in 2024, even with a veteran secondary that included Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson. Todd played in 11 games with one start and finished with 11 tackles and two pass breakups. That performance helped springboard Todd into a starting role in the secondary in 2025.
Todd’s confidence showed in his play, and that led to him getting on the field as a true freshman. When it comes to Brown, confidence is exactly what Todd sees.
“He’s just confident out there,” Todd said. “Most people will get out there and they’re kind of nervous or they just do freshman things and keep making mistakes. But he’s been doing really good, no mistakes and stuff. Just confidence.”
The football season is a week away, and while there’s still more for Brown to work on and get better at, he’s shown his teammates and coaches that he’s ready to contribute this year. That’s something Brown, his coaches and even his teammates can take pride in.
“I’m very proud of him,” Todd said. “He came in spring ball and played really well. He came in ready, and I’m proud of him.”
