South Carolina EDGE Transfer Jaylen Brown Excited to Develop Under Sterling Lucas
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Jaylen Brown watched what South Carolina’s defense accomplished last season and knew he wanted to be part of it.
A former target of assistant coach Sterling Lucas during his high school recruitment, Brown initially signed with Missouri, where he played in five games during the 2024 season before hitting the transfer portal.
After visiting Columbia, the Madison, Ala., native didn’t hesitate—he committed to the Gamecocks.
“I think the production from last year for sure,” Brown said on why he chose South Carolina. “I think that was a big one. And I already had a connection with them. But just the production from last year.”
Following in Kyle Kennard’s Footsteps
Now preparing for spring practice, Brown is eager to develop under Lucas, much like Kyle Kennard, another transfer who flourished in his one season with the Gamecocks’ highly regarded defensive coach.
“He’s a high-energy dude,” Brown said of Lucas. “He loves his players, and I can see that. And he wants us at a standard, and I really like that standard—a high standard. So that’s what I really like about him.”
A Towering Presence on the Edge
Standing at 6-foot-6, 268 pounds, Brown already boasts an imposing frame—even bigger than Kennard, who played at 6-foot-5, 238 pounds in 2024. His size makes him a strong run defender, but he knows there’s work to be done when it comes to getting after the quarterback.
“Yeah, I think my pass rush, he’s going to develop that,” Brown said. “I think my pass rush needs to be developed for sure, and yeah, just mainly my pass rush. I’m pretty good at the run.”
With spring ball just weeks away, Brown will compete with several returning players for a spot in the EDGE rotation, led by former freshman standout Dylan Stewart. As he continues to refine his game, he’s confident that Lucas and South Carolina’s defensive system will take him to the next level.
