Injury-marred spring doesn’t deter MU receiver Nate Brown

In some respects, the last few months represent a lost spring for Missouri sophomore wide receiver Nate Brown, who sprained his left knee on the first day of spring practice and didn’t fully participate in any of the 15 practices.

Brown said he was diagnosed with a grade two MCL sprain after Saturday’s annual Black & Gold Spring Game.

“I’ve kind of been taking it day by day and worked with trainers,” he said.

Brown returned to practice but only for noncontact drills during the final week of spring practice and didn’t participate in any of the Tigers’ scrimmages.

If Missouri had been in season, Brown said he could have returned to the field sooner, but it wasn’t worth the risk in March or April.

“I was able to still work out every day in the weight room just like everybody else, but I didn’t want to come back too fast and end up messing it up for the season, which is the ultimate goal,” he said.

Instead, Brown, who is penciled in as the Tigers’ starting slot receiver and is one of only three receivers on the roster with game-day experience, focused on taking mental reps.

“I wouldn’t say it (the spring) was lost at all,” he said. “I just grew in different areas.”

Quarterback Maty Mauk praised Brown’s approach to off-the-field improvement.

“He’s always in the film room,” Mauk said. “He’s always asking me questions, ‘Hey, what are you thinking here with two high safeties?’ … That’s what I love coming from a young receiver and guy that I know is going to be pushing himself to get better every day. I’m excited to be right beside him and to help him out.”

Still, this spring was a missed opportunity for Brown to grow and improve, develop rapport with Mauk and work against MU’s top nickelbacks — budding star Thomas Wilson, a sophomore safety, and junior cornerback Aarion Penton.

“It’s just disappointing for him, because I think he’s going to be a really good player and he’s a real good kid,” Missouri offensive coordinator Josh Henson said. “But it’s one of those things that happens. Now, he’s just got to put in extra time from now until two-a-days get here to be where he wants to be at.”

The Tigers must find a way to replace the production lost with the graduations of Bud Sasser, Jimmie Hunt and Darius White — who combined for 147 of MU’s 221 receptions, 2,073 of 2,648 receiving yards and 23 of 25 touchdowns last season.

Brown, who caught five passes for 45 yards as a true freshman last season, is expected to be a big piece of that puzzle.

“Everybody on this team feels some sort of pressure, and that’s brought on by the greatness that’s been here,” Brown said. “You always feels like you have to raise your level, raise your play, because the guys who were in front of you did the same thing when it was their turn.”

It’s now Brown’s turn.

“He’s got the talent to do it,” Henson said. “Obviously, you haven’t seen it yet, because he just hasn’t had the opportunity to do it yet, but I think he’s a talented guy who will continue to get better in the future.”

Missouri’s offense endured uneven performances throughout the spring, but Mauk and company seemed to find better rhythm in the last week of practice.

“It takes time for an offense to mesh, but I have no doubts that we’ll be where we need to be when the season starts,” Brown said.

Brown said the offense has a good work ethic supported by good leaders and coaches.

“It’s going to be a huge summer for him,” Mauk said. “Obviously, he played a little bit, but he’s got a lot of work to do, too. That’s something we’ve got to work on, and I know I’m going to be out there with those guys every day and we’re going to get what we have to done.”

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Injury-marred spring doesn’t deter MU receiver Nate Brown."