CHARLOTTE — Deonte Brown left January's Senior Bowl with no guarantees, but a reason for optimism.
The former Alabama guard wasn't promised anything, but said he "hit it off" with head coach Matt Rhule and the Panthers staff during a week of practice, and got the sense it was mutual.
"Okay, well, at least I got the Panthers that like me," he recalled thinking.
Three months later, Brown was taken by the Panthers in the sixth round of the NFL draft, and will now look to bring both his talent and championship pedigree to Carolina.
The 6-foot-3, 345-pounder was the second offensive lineman drafted by the Panthers in 2021, following BYU's Brady Christensen in the third round. Hailing from Decatur, Ala., Brown was part of a Crimson Tide offensive line that steamrolled opponents en route to a national championship last season.
The first-team all-SEC selection started all 13 games for the Tide at left guard, allowing half a sack, one pressure, and just five quarterback hurries. He projects as a solid in-line power blocker who can thrive in the run game, which works here with Christian McCaffrey.
For Brown, the biggest obstacle to a productive pro career could be his weight — but he believes it's a nonissue if he continues on the nutrition plan he adopted in Tuscaloosa.
"People are gonna see real soon," he said, "that my weight isn't a hindrance on my ability to play, and to play at a high level for a really long time."
One of the most memorable games of Brown's college career, he said, was going up (and holding his own) against Auburn's Derrick Brown in 2019. Now, he'll get more than a few chances to do battle with the 2020 first-rounder.
"It's gonna be a lot of fun seeing him in practice," he said. "Better seeing him in practice than in actual games."
In January, Brown had little more than the word of one coach. Now, he has a pro contract, NFL draft experience, and a shot at a promising career in Carolina.
"Definitely a dream come true," he said. "Anywhere I got picked, I was going to be happy. But I'm glad that Matt Rhule and the whole organization had faith in me and took a shot."
See photos of Deonte Brown who played at Alabama from 2017-20.
Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) prepares to block against Norte Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70), Jedrick Wills Jr. (74), Chris Owens (79), and Deonte Brown (65) celebrate a touchdown against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
1/11/21 MFB Alabama vs OhioState Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) Photo by Jeff Hanson
10/19/19 MFB vs Tennessee Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) Photo by Kent Gidley
11/28/20 MFB vs Auburn Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) Photo by Kent Gidley
11/21/20 MFB Alabama vs Kentucky Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) Photo by Kent Gidley
11/28/20 MFB Alabama vs Auburn Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) Photo by Jeff Hanson
3/11/20 MFB vs Mugs Deonta Brown Photo by Kent Gidley
Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) prepares to block against Norte Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
American Team offensive lineman Deonte Brown of Alabama (65) during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
12/19/20 MFB Alabama vs Florida Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) Photo by Robert Sutton
Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) prepares for the next play against Norte Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
American Team offensive lineman Deonte Brown of Alabama (65) blocks during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Offensive lineman Deonte Brown of Alabama (65) and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson of Iowa (78) wait their turn in a drill during the American team practice for the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) and Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) play against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills Jr. (74) seeks a block against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. Also pictured are Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) and Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5). (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) gets set against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
