Continuing our countdown of the 10 most valuable Arizona Wildcats of 2018 … other than quarterback, Heisman Trophy candidate and obvious No. 1 choice Khalil Tate.
The junior’s top-dog status is so secure that it’s pointless to include him in this list. A more instructive exercise would be to rank the next 10 most valuable Wildcats, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do over the next several weeks.
First, a couple of quick notes:
- “Most valuable” does not necessarily mean “best.” Rather, we’re defining it as the contributions and traits that most influence winning football. They include talent, leadership and projected role and production.
- Newcomers were not eligible. Even though freshmen played a huge role on last year’s team, it’s just too hard to predict who will have an immediate impact before training camp gets underway.
NO. 7: WR-PR SHUN BROWN
Ht/Wt/Yr: 5-10, 177, senior
Comment: Like the other player who wears uniform No. 6 for the Wildcats, safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, it feels like Brown ought to rank a little higher on our MVP list. After all, Brown led Arizona in catches and touchdown receptions last season. Additionally, he returned two punts for scores. Only Tate and tailback Zach Green scored more TDs than Brown.
The hesitancy to place Brown in, say, the top five stems from some uncertainty about his role in the offense. Will he continue to be the top target for Tate? Or will someone else – such as fellow receiver Shawn Poindexter – seize that opportunity?
Poindexter just missed the cut for our top 10 after finishing last season strong and starring in the spring game. He also is one of seven players depicted in this year’s team poster, for whatever that’s worth.
It’s not inconceivable that Brown, Poindexter and Tony Ellison all end up with about the same number of receptions. There’s no clear-cut go-to guy in that group, a la Christian Kirk.
Playing for Kevin Sumlin and Noel Mazzone, Kirk led Texas A&M in catches (71), yards (919) and TD receptions (10) last season. What’s interesting to note about Kirk is that his dimensions (5-11, 200) are closer to Brown’s than Poindexter’s (6-5, 212). Kirk also played primarily out of the slot; he was lined up inside for 67 of his 71 catches, according to Pro Football Focus.
(In discussing the top traits he’s seeking in outside receivers this spring, position coach Taylor Mazzone cited speed first, size second. Brown primarily is working with the inside receivers under Theron Aych, but it was a telling comment coming from the son of the offensive coordinator.)
So there is a path for Brown to thrive in the Sumlin/Mazzone offense, even if Poindexter plays a bigger role (and if running backs catch significantly more passes, which is a virtual certainty based on Mazzone’s track record and what we saw in open spring practices).
Despite his relatively slight frame, Brown is a strong runner after the catch. He’s also fast enough to get behind the defense (a task admittedly made easier when opposing safeties surge toward the line of scrimmage to try to thwart Tate in the zone-read game).
Brown provides added value as a returner. As mentioned, he returned two punts for scores last year. As UA fans know, he should have had three.
Although the NCAA has made a concerted effort to cut down on kickoff returns, no such legislation has been passed (or even suggested) to suppress punt returns. Skilled punters and smart special-teams coaches try to keep those opportunities to a minimum when the returner is as dangerous as Brown. But he showed last season that he can go long even when given just a handful of pitches to hit (17 total returns).
Brown’s playmaking ability as a receiver and returner, his smarts and his experience make him a clear choice for our top 10. His exact role in the offense will determine how high he ultimately ascends.
10 MOST VALUABLE CATS (BESIDES KHALIL TATE)
