DJ Brown Explains Decision To Pick Irish

After initially telling DJ Brown‍ they were full, Notre Dame coaches circled back to the 2018 Washington, D.C., cornerback a few weeks ago to let him know they still had a spot for him if he wanted it.

“Basically, they explained to me what exactly happened and hope that I understood where they were coming from,” Brown explained to Irish Sports Daily on Wednesday evening.

After cancelling a scheduled official visit back in December, Notre Dame invited him to take an official just a couple weeks before today’s National Signing Day. Brown added the stop to a trip he’d already planned to Northwestern and it ultimately led to him signing with the Irish earlier today.

“Just the atmosphere around the program,” the St. John’s College High School standout said of why he chose Notre Dame. “And the excitement all the coaches bring to their jobs, which shows the really care about their student-athletes.”

Brown added to their excitement when he let them know his decision.

“They were real excited and couldn’t wait until I got on campus,” he said. “They explained that I had a tremendous upside and they were going to help me get to where I wanted to be.” 

The sales pitch from the Irish’s defensive backs coaches Todd Lyght and Terry Joseph was a simple one.

“Come in and be an immediate impact,” Brown recounted. “Learning behind a guy like Julian Love.” 

Choosing between Notre Dame, Northwestern and Cal just proves how much value Brown places on academics, but he’s confident he’ll have success on the field as well.

“A strong physical corner that will lock down one side of the field,” he said of what he’ll bring to the Irish defense.

“Also, smart enough to read route concepts and jump them for interceptions.”