By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–After a stellar high school playing career, Union City’s Keaten Brown isn’t quite ready to turn in his shoulder pads.
Brown, who helped lead the Golden Tornadoes to back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances and was chosen as an All-Stater after his senior campaign, says he’ll accept an invitation to join the UT Martin program in the fall as a preferred walk-on.
A preferred walk-on is assured of a spot on the team but includes no scholarship money the first year.
“I didn’t want to get down the road as an adult and have regrets of not playing when I had the opportunity,” Brown said. “At first, I really didn’t know if it was what I wanted to do.
“But I’ve loved the game and have so many great memories of playing already. And you can’t go back as an adult and play football like you can some of the other sports.”
A two-way standout at quarterback and linebacker for UC on the prep level, Brown is unsure of his position with the Skyhawks. He said he’ll likely redshirt in his first season while bulking up in the weight room and learning schemes on the defensive side of the ball.
The triggerman in the Tornadoes’ triple-option attack, Brown rushed for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. For his career, he ran for 2,645 yards and 68 TDs and threw for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He was also a defensive standout, ranking third on the team in tackles. He was slotted at the ‘athlete’ position on the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State team and was chosen to play in the annual West Tennessee All-Star game after his senior campaign.
Brown chose the UTM opportunity over a handful of other options to play at the next level, including at Austin Peay, Bethel University, and Bluffton (Ohio).
“It’ll be cheaper initially and closer to home,” he said. “And they’ve had a really good football team the last several years.
“Right now, I felt like it was my best option.”
He plans to major in education and has an interest in coaching upon graduating from college.
Brown said he’ll carry many gridiron memories from his days and nights in Purple and Gold colors. He’d love for his final chapter to include success on the state level in track, where he’s also starred, having finished as state runner-up in the discus and the Top 5 in the shot put last season.
“I’ll always remember Senior Night in football with all my fellow seniors. And beating Westview in the state playoffs as a junior – there was so much energy before and after that game,” he claimed.
“Now, if I could get back to the state, have a couple of personal bests, and win two state championships, and our team could win it all, that’d be a perfect ending for me.”