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A.J. Brown Reflects on Manning Passing Academy, Upcoming 2018 Season
By Kory Calhoun
HottyToddy.com contributor
A.J. Brown goes for a pass during practice. Photo by Steven Gagliano.
Ole Miss standouts A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf and Jordan Ta’Amu were among special guests at this the 2018 Manning Passing Academy in June at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Though the camp was orchestrated to showcase the nation’s top quarterbacks, A.J. Brown utilized this time to soak up knowledge from the greats of the game to give back to the younger players.
“I was up there with a lot of good quarterbacks, so they were really giving me a lot of pointers on coverages and breaking down coverages,” Brown said. “[I learned] from the QBs as much as possible and working with the kids working with them.”
The three-day event consisted of nonstop drills and throwing sessions with quarterbacks, along with route running with receivers. Peyton and Eli Manning shadowed the event by giving words of encouragement to inspire the young athletes to continue their hard work.
Ole Miss great Archie Manning personally invited the Rebels to the camp. This was a chance to give advice to the student-athletes as they continue their own legacies at the University of Mississippi.
“It was an honor to get invited by them because we have a conversation with them all the time,” Brown said. “It’s always a good time when we can just sit there and soak up everything we can with them because they have done it, they have been through it.”
Brown was recently named as the No. 1 receiver in the country by Athlon Sports.
“It feels surreal,” Brown said. “Me getting that spot just means it’s a bigger target on my back. There’s no pressure because I have guys in this room that are capable of doing the same thing. But it’s an honor. I look at it as a blessing.”
The Rebels will open up 2018 on the road against Texas Tech in Houston September 1. The team has high expectations and goals for a winning season.
“For this team, everyone is sticking together and everyone is being held accountable,” Brown said. “For myself, I just want to win. Whatever it takes to win, it doesn’t matter to me.”
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
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| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |
| Thu, Jan 2 |  | vs Duke (Gator Bowl) | 6:30 PM • ESPN |