University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Football Adds Running Back Transfer Zach Brown
6/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 30, 2011
PITTSBURGH— Pitt head football coach Todd Graham announced today the addition of running back Zach Brown to the 2011 roster. A transfer from Wisconsin, Brown will be immediately eligible at Pitt because he already earned his bachelor's degree and played only three seasons for the Badgers.
A native of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Brown rushed for 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns on 240 carries (4.8 avg.) at Wisconsin. He lettered his first three seasons (2007-09) before redshirting during the 2010 campaign. Brown was twice named to the Academic All-Big Ten team. He will pursue his graduate studies in Pitt's School of Education.
"We are extremely pleased that Zach Brown has chosen to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Pittsburgh," Graham said. "Unlike a younger player, Zach arrives with invaluable experience and a strong understanding of what it is like to play major college football. We expect him to be an immediate asset in our backfield."
Zach Brown, RB, 5-10, 220, Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Royal Palm Beach
Transfer running back from Wisconsin who will have immediate eligibility at Pitt…provides the Pitt backfield with an experienced and durable back who can make an immediate impact…will have fifth-year eligibility for the Panthers in 2011. At Wisconsin (2007-10): Three-year letterman for the Badgers who rushed for 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns on 240 carries (4.8 avg.) for his career…also had 20 receptions for 105 yards (5.3 avg.)…played in 36 career games for the Badgers with nine starts…spent his final season (2010) as a redshirt…was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection (2008 and 2009). 2009: Earned his third letter…played in 12 games, starting five…finished third on the team in rushing yards (279), rushing attempts (66) and rushing touchdowns (three)…rushed for a season-high 63 yards with two touchdowns on 12 carries vs. Wofford…rushed for 51 yards on a season-high 14 carries vs. Northern Illinois. 2008: Earned his second letter after playing in 12 games…was third on the team with 55 carries for 305 yards (5.5 avg.) and three touchdowns…had a season-high 87 yards on 15 carries (5.8 avg.) and a TD vs. Akron. 2007: Made an instant impact as a true freshman, playing in 12 games and starting the final four contests of the season…logged 84 carries for 450 yards (5.4 avg.) and four TDs in those four starting assignments…had 568 rushing yards for the year, the fifth-highest rushing total ever for a Wisconsin freshman…named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after he rushed for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries (8.6 avg.) in a victory at Minnesota…his 250 yards were the 10th most in school history and the fourth highest by a Wisconsin freshman…rushed for 108 yards and two TDs on 27 carries (4.0 avg.) in upset win over 13th-ranked Michigan…first career starting assignment came at No. 1 Ohio State…carried 20 times for 63 yards (3.2 avg.) against the Buckeyes. High School: Finished his career ranking second in career touchdowns (25) and rushing yards (1,984) at Royal Palm Beach…PrepStar All-American…rated one of the top 100 prospects in Florida by Rivals…rated one of the country's top 55 running back prospects by Scouts Inc. and Rivals…rushed for 1,062 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior…first team all-area and all-conference…Royal Palm Beach team captain…was twice selected the team's "Most Unselfish Player"…played under Coach Eric Patterson…a three-sport standout who earned nine varsity letters, including four in track, three in football and two in basketball…listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students.
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