Making the transition

CEDAR FALLS— Spencer Brown has had a busy August.

The Lenox product has been diving headfirst into what life as a Division One football player is like.

He moved to Cedar Falls and the University of Northern Iowa early in August to begin his freshman campaign as one of the newest members of the Panther football team.

So far, he has been working to learn the nuances of the new system he is a part of.

“It’s been staying up late looking at the playbook, getting back up early and doing it all over again,” Brown said recently.

As hard as his teammates are working in camp, Brown is trying to do his part to keep up.

“This is what it takes to be successful and it’s paid off for them and they put the hard work in. So I’ve got to follow suit,” Brown said.

Brown is currently participating in drills off to the side as he rehabs a knee injury he suffered while at Lenox. Brown expects to be on the field practicing by some time in September.

For now, he’s taken on an observant role on the sideline.

“I’m watching the tight ends doing drills, getting my nose in the playbook and working out.”

Each day, Brown is grasping more and more of the concepts being thrown his way.

“It’s a big learning year,” Brown said. “Every morning is learning new plays or new formations. It’s a big learning year for me and the rest of the freshmen.”

The task can seem daunting at times, he noted.

Brown takes a peek at his older teammates and realize they overcame some of the same challenges and obstacles he is facing.

“It can be (overwhelming),” Brown said. “I think everybody else did it. They got through it. They’re doing just fine.”

Brown has confidence in his ability to pick up the skills needed to succeed at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level.

“It’ll be alright,” Brown said.

One of the bigger challenges for Brown is going from the Eight-Player game to 11-man.

“The first night, I sat in the dorm lounge and said this is way different from eight-man, but by the next morning, I knew the formations,” Brown said. “When we got new stuff and and new formations. I relaxed and said I got this.”

Each day, Brown becomes more comfortable with what he’s learning.

“It takes time to get used to everything,” Brown said.

Brown is leaning heavily on coach Mark Farley’s staff to help the learning curve along.

“I’ve got to listen to them, trust them,” Brown said.

Brown will redshirt this season as he not only recovers from the injury, but works to add weight to his 6-foot-4 inch frame.

When he’s not working out, in school or at practice, he will be studying one particular piece of literature.

“I need to understand the playbook,” Brown said.

So far, he’s felt a good rapport. with his Panther teammates.

“Everybody’s friendly,” Brown said. “Everybody’s willing to help each other out. It’s a well0rounded team. I know all of the freshman guys.”

Over the next few months, there’s much for Brown to learn.

He’s ready for the challenges upcoming.

“I enjoy it,” Brown said. “I need to get healthy, get my knee back so I can start running routes, pushing guys around. Every day is something new.”