The Miami Dolphins have a private workout scheduled for former Troy University defensive tackle Shakel Brown on Friday.
Brown has been rising in the 2023 NFL Draft process after a strong final season for the Trojans, who play in the Sun Belt Conference.
Troy University @TROYUnews defensive tackle Shakel Brown, a rising draft prospect, has private workout today for the #Dolphins, per a league source @KPRC2 https://t.co/4IWhLlcKct
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 14, 2023
Brown put together an impressive performance at his pro day, and he apparently spoke with 20 teams then.
At nearly 300 pounds, the draft prospect ran a 4.82 40-yard dash, 4.44 short shuttle and had an impressive 33-inch vertical leap.
“Well I would definitely say it’s from the training, from my strength coaches, coming in I was already kinda prepared, but I definitely had great training down in Tampa Florida with Josh Cooper, down at Cooper Sports Performance, so I definitely give it to those guys you know for preparing me and having me ready to put up the numbers that I knew I could do,” Brown told The Touchdown’s guest writer Kieran Horne.
He could be a player the Dolphins target to improve their defensive line depth.
Last season, Miami finished with 40 sacks as a team, so the team could use some more athletes on the defensive line to disrupt other teams’ passing games. With Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips manning the outside, Brown could be a player on the inside that also wreaks havoc for Miami.
In his final season for the Trojans, Brown recorded a career-high four sacks in 13 games. He finished the season with 32 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as well.
“It would definitely be my point of attack,” Brown said of his biggest strength. “I feel like I can stop the run very well — and as you can see within my stats, you know I developed my pass rush since I’ve been at Troy. You know you can always get better at everything, and I always have the mindset that I’m never the best at anything. But for sure I feel like run defense is one of my biggest attributes.”
Over his three-year collegiate career, Brown recorded eight total tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He really came on strong in his junior season, and that’s a big reason why the former Trojan is garnering so much attention in the draft process.
The defensive lineman doesn’t have a preference for where he ends up, and he appears to be extremely grateful that he will have a chance to be on an NFL roster.
“I’m definitely just happy to play man,” Brown said. “I’m blessed for anything you know. Of course, most kids have a favorite team growing up, but I really didn’t. I always kinda liked every team. Wherever I go I’m definitely going to be a professional. Even when I was playing basketball I would say I was gonna be a professional at some sport. I never really said which sport, I just knew I wanted to be a professional athlete. I would write it down on my papers — basketball, football, ‘wannabe professional’ or whatever. It didn’t matter to me. I’m just grateful I had the ability to let football give me that opportunity. God willing, I’ll hear my name called that weekend — and wherever it comes from I’m ready to call home. I’m not picky at all.”
The 2023 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27 and runs through Saturday, April 29. Brown’s impressive performance at his pro day should lead to him having his name called, and he could possibly start his professional career with the Dolphins.
