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Dru Brown
Dru Brown
from Wikipedia

Dru Brown (born March 21, 1997) is an American professional football quarterback for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oklahoma State and Hawaii.

Key Information

College career

[edit]

Brown did not start until his senior season of high school and did not receive any Division I offers.[1] He attended the College of San Mateo in his freshman year, playing in 11 games, and completed 104 of 194 passes for 1,870 yards and 21 touchdowns.[2] He then transferred to Hawaii Rainbow Warriors for the 2016 season.

Hawaii

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2016

[edit]

After not playing in Hawaii's first three games, Brown entered the Rainbow Warriors fourth game against the Arizona Wildcats in the second half, replacing Ikaika Woolsey. Brown was able to direct the Rainbow Warriors to three touchdown drives in the second half, but they lost to Arizona 47–28.[3] He was named the starting quarterback before the Rainbow Warriors match against Nevada Wolf Pack.[4] Against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the 2016 Hawaii Bowl, he threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns while also accounting for a rushing touchdown en route to a 52–35 victory.[5] He was also named one of the game's most valuable player for his efforts.

2017

[edit]

Coming off of Hawaii's first bowl victory in ten years, Brown was once again named the starting quarterback for the 2017 season. He threw for 2,785 yards and 18 touchdowns that season on a struggling Rainbow Warriors team that lost nine of the last ten games, mostly attributed to a battered offensive line whose position coach left mid-way through the season, and top receiver John Ursua lost to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.[6] After the 2017 season, he announced his intention to transfer,[7] enrolled at Oklahoma State as a graduate transfer, and was immediately eligible to play.[8] He finished his career at Hawaii with 5,273 career passing yards and 37 touchdowns.[9]

Oklahoma State

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2018

[edit]

At Oklahoma State, Brown joined a crowded QB room competing for the Cowboys starting quarterback job following the departure of the four-year starter Mason Rudolph.[10] Brown was named the primary back-up quarterback to the starter Taylor Cornelius before the start of 2018 season.[11] Despite playing in the Cowboys' 2018 Liberty Bowl, Brown was able to redshirt under the NCAA's new redshirt policy and keep his final year of eligibility.

2019

[edit]

Following Cornelius' graduation and departure, Brown was one of the favorites to win the starting quarterback job, competing for it with redshirt freshman Spencer Sanders. Brown was once again named the primary back-up as Sanders was named the starting quarterback for the Cowboys' season opener against the Oregon State Beavers.[12]

After Sanders suffered a hand injury in the middle of a game against the Kansas Jayhawks, Brown entered the game in relief and threw a touchdown pass on his first play.[13] He finished the game with 3 completions on 5 attempts for 70 yards and a touchdown in the 31–6 victory.[14] He started his first career game as a Cowboy against the West Virginia Mountaineers the following week, where he racked up 196 yards and two touchdowns in a 20–13 victory.[15] For his performance against West Virginia, he was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.[16]

Statistics

[edit]
Season Games Passing Rushing
GP Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate Att Yards Avg TD
San Mateo Bulldogs
2015 11 7–4 104 194 53.6 1,879 9.7 21 8 162.4 63 188 3.0 6
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
2016 13 7–4 209 335 62.4 2,488 7.4 19 7 139.3 88 306 3.5 4
2017 12 3–9 254 412 61.7 2,785 6.8 18 8 129.0 58 7 0.1 2
Oklahoma State Cowboys
2018 1 0–0 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0
2019 7 1–2 72 107 67.3 810 7.6 7 1 150.6 23 6 0.3 1
Career 44 18−19 639 1,048 58.1 7,962 8.4 65 24 149.1 132 507 3 13

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
5 ft 11+18 in
(1.81 m)
194 lb
(88 kg)
30+78 in
(0.78 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.72 s 1.59 s 2.75 s 4.40 s 7.14 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)
9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)
All values from Pro Day[17]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

[edit]
Brown with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2022

Following his college career, Brown was added to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster on March 11, 2020.[18] However, he did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season. In 2021, he was the fourth-string quarterback and spent most of the year on the practice roster.[19] However, after the Blue Bombers clinched first place, Brown dressed in his first professional game on November 13, 2023, against the Montreal Alouettes.[19] He played in the final two regular season games in 2021, where he completed seven of 14 pass attempts for 49 yards.[19] He did not dress in either of the team's post-season games and was on the practice roster for the team's 108th Grey Cup championship over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[19]

During the first game of the 2022 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season, Brown came in to the game late in the fourth quarter to complete a game-winning field goal drive. He entered the game after starting quarterback Zach Collaros was pulled from play by injury spotters after he took a hit to the head.[20] During the 2023 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season, Brown again took over the offence after Collaros left the game with an upper body injury after a high hit during a week 9 game against the Edmonton Elks. He brought the Bombers back from a 22 point deficit throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns as the Bombers beat the Elks 38-29.[21] He made two starts in 2023, winning both of them, and set a new CFL record for the most touchdown passes (9) without recording an interception.[22]

Ottawa Redblacks

[edit]

As a pending free agent, Brown's playing rights were traded to the Ottawa Redblacks on January 18, 2024, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 CFL draft.[23] On January 24, 2024, it was announced that Brown had signed a two-year contract, with a minimum $286,000 plus $54,000 in playtime incentives in 2024, and a minimum $355,000 plus $45,000 in playtime incentives in 2025.[24] Brown was named the team's starter ahead of the season and led the team to their first playoff appearance since 2018, eventually losing to the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Semi-Final. By season's end, Brown had started 15 games and passed for 3,959 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

CFL career statistics

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Y/A TD
2020 WPG Season cancelled
2021 WPG 2 0 0–0 7 14 50.0 49 3.5 0 0 58.3 7 44 6.3 0
2022 WPG 18 1 0–1 33 50 66.0 452 9.0 5 2 111.4 19 39 2.1 3
2023 WPG 18 2 2–0 62 89 69.7 983 11.0 9 0 139.9 11 30 2.7 2
2024 OTT 17 15 8–6–1 312 464 67.2 3,959 8.5 18 10 97.2 14 57 4.1 0
2025 OTT 10 9 2–7 196 274 71.5 2,389 8.7 14 10 99.8 9 18 2.0 0
CFL career 65 27 12–14–1 610 891 68.5 7,832 8.8 46 22 102.7 60 188 3.1 5

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Dru Brown (born March 21, 1997) is an American professional football for the of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 200 pounds, he played at the , the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, and , where he developed into a dual-threat passer known for his accuracy and mobility. After going undrafted in the , Brown signed with the , where over three seasons (2021–2023) he appeared in 38 games as a backup, completing 102 of 153 passes for 1,484 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding five rushing touchdowns and contributing to their 2021 victory, including engineering a game-winning drive in the 2022 season opener. Traded to in 2024 for a fifth-round draft pick, he became the starting and led the team to a 9-8-1 record, the franchise's first playoff berth since 2018, with 3,959 passing yards and 18 touchdowns despite two games shortened by injury. Born in Palo Alto, California, Brown was raised in the South Bay area by his father Dave Brown, a former Washington State quarterback and linebacker, and his mother Terri Brown, a retired doctor, fostering an early passion for football. Despite high school success at Los Gatos High School, Brown attended the College of San Mateo in 2015 before transferring to the University of Hawai'i, where he started for two seasons (2017–2018), passing for 5,273 yards and 37 touchdowns while majoring in communications, then transferred to Oklahoma State as a graduate student in 2019, appearing in eight games with limited stats. In 2025, Brown signed a contract extension through 2026 worth up to $471,500 and started nine games for , passing for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions amid a 2-7 record in those starts, while dealing with hip, neck, and knee injuries. The Redblacks shut him down for the remainder of the season in October 2025 to prioritize his health, with Brown committed to addressing durability issues for his 2026 return.

Early life and education

Early life

Dru Brown was born on March 21, 1997, in . He grew up in a close-knit family with his parents, Dave Brown and Terri Brown, and two older sisters. His father, Dave, was a former player who had started as a before transitioning to linebacker at , and he passed away suddenly in July 2023. Terri Brown, a retired doctor, provided steadfast support throughout his early years, often accompanying him to medical appointments after injuries. As a young child, Brown briefly tried , following in the footsteps of his sisters, but soon gravitated toward football, influenced heavily by his father's passion for the . Dave Brown instilled a love for the game in his son from an early age, frequently playing catch in the backyard and emphasizing perseverance with the mantra, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” Starting at age nine, Dave drove Dru over 1.5 hours each week to specialized coaching sessions, fostering his development and commitment to the position. Brown's introduction to organized youth football came through local leagues, where he played for the Redwood City 49ers from ages nine to eleven, taking on roles as both and . He later joined the Los Gatos-Campbell Longhorns, continuing to hone his skills amid the physical demands of the game. Despite his enthusiasm, youth play brought frequent injuries, including a broken arm, hand, and collarbone, resulting in multiple emergency room visits that his mother Terri managed with care and resilience. These early challenges, supported by his family's encouragement, helped shape his determination as he approached high school football.

High school career

Dru Brown attended in , where he developed as a during his high school years. In his first two seasons, Brown competed at the junior varsity level, becoming the starter during his second JV year in 2012, when he led the Wildcats to a 9-0-1 record and threw 11 touchdowns. As a junior in 2013, he transitioned to the as a , appearing in games and throwing 5 touchdown passes while learning from the starters. Brown earned the starting varsity role as a senior in , completing 159 of 236 passes for 2,301 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions over 13 games, while also rushing 48 times for 196 yards. Under his leadership, the Wildcats achieved a 10-3 overall record and advanced to the semifinals of the Central Coast Section (CCS) Open Division playoffs, where they fell to Sacred Heart Prep. Despite these impressive statistics, Brown received no Division I scholarship offers, largely due to his 5-foot-11 stature and limited prior varsity experience, which fueled his determination to prove doubters wrong.

College of San Mateo

After graduating from Los Gatos High School without any Division I scholarship offers—despite earning preferred walk-on opportunities at Nevada and Washington State—Dru Brown enrolled at the College of San Mateo, a junior college in California, in 2015 to pursue a scholarship path. As a , Brown served as the starting for the Bulldogs, appearing in all 11 games of the season. He completed 104 of 194 pass attempts for 1,879 yards, with 21 and 8 interceptions, achieving a 53.6% completion rate. His performance included standout games, such as a single-game school record of 7 touchdown passes for 425 yards in the Bulldog Bowl playoff matchup against . Brown's contributions helped lead the to a 7-2 regular-season record and a playoff appearance, culminating in the Bothman Bulldog Bowl. Following the season, with no scholarship offers materializing on , Brown accepted a preferred walk-on position at the , marking his entry into FBS football. This move bridged his experience to a major program, where his San Mateo tape had proven instrumental in securing the opportunity.

College career

University of Hawaii

Dru Brown transferred to the University of Hawaii in June 2016 as a preferred walk-on following a standout junior college season at the College of San Mateo that drew attention from multiple programs. He appeared in all 13 games during the 2016 season, starting the final 10 contests at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors, who employed a run-and-shoot offense emphasizing quick passes and quarterback mobility. Brown completed 209 of 335 passes for 2,488 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, while adding 306 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. In the 2016 Hawaii Bowl against , Brown earned Most Outstanding Player honors after passing for 274 yards and 4 touchdowns on 20-of-30 completions, plus a 1-yard rushing score, helping secure a 52–35 victory and its first bowl win in a . The performance capped a season in which he started 10 games and threw for multiple touchdowns in six outings, contributing to 's 7–6 record. Brown solidified his role as the full-time starter in , appearing in all 12 games and passing for 2,785 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions on 254-of-412 attempts, with a 61.7% completion rate. He maintained his mobility, rushing for 7 yards and 2 touchdowns despite the team's challenges, including defensive injuries that impacted overall performance, as Hawaii finished 7–6. Over his two seasons at , Brown amassed 5,273 passing yards and 37 passing touchdowns in 25 games, ranking sixth in program history for career passing yards and developing into a poised leader in the up-tempo system. Following the 2017 season, Brown decided to transfer as a graduate student, citing a desire to be closer to his family in California after the death of his grandfather and to pursue new challenges at a higher competitive level.

Oklahoma State University

In 2018, Dru Brown transferred to Oklahoma State University as a graduate student from the University of Hawaii, where his prior starting experience made him an attractive addition to the quarterback room. He served primarily as a backup to starter Taylor Cornelius, appearing in limited mop-up duty during the season but recording no official passing statistics across his appearances. During the 2019 season, Brown continued in a backup role behind Spencer Sanders, entering in relief for four games before earning his first start against West Virginia due to an injury. In that debut, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, leading Oklahoma State to a 20-13 victory and earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors. He also started the following game against Oklahoma, throwing for 207 yards, and played extensively in the Texas Bowl against Texas A&M, where he passed for 184 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Over the season, Brown appeared in seven games, completing 72 of 107 passes for 810 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. Following the 2019 campaign, Brown focused on preparations for the , participating in State's pro day where he showcased his arm strength and mobility. He ultimately went undrafted but signed with the of the Canadian Football League shortly thereafter.

Professional career

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Dru Brown signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as an undrafted free agent on March 11, 2020, following his college career at Oklahoma State University. Although the 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown remained on the team's roster. His early professional experience was limited as he remained on the practice squad, preparing behind established quarterbacks while adapting to the CFL's unique rules and faster pace of play. Brown made his CFL debut in 2021 during Week 16 against the , appearing in two games that season where he completed 7 of 14 passes for 49 yards and added 44 rushing yards on seven carries. He dressed as the third-string for two games that season but saw minimal action overall, spending much of the year on the practice roster to continue developing his skills. By the end of 2021, Brown had re-signed with the Bombers, solidifying his position within the organization as he focused on learning the offensive system. In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Brown served as the primary backup to starting Zach Collaros, dressing for all regular-season games and contributing in relief roles during critical moments. He entered the 2022 season opener against the in the fourth quarter, leading a game-winning drive that set the tone for his reliability in high-pressure situations. His most notable performance came on August 10, 2023, also against the Elks, when he relieved an injured Collaros and orchestrated a comeback from a 22-0 deficit, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-29 . Brown also started two games in 2023—both wins against the —completing 69.7 percent of his passes for 983 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions across the season. These appearances highlighted his growth as a poised decision-maker capable of executing the Bombers' high-powered offence. Brown was part of the ' 2022 Grey Cup-winning roster, though he remained inactive for the championship game against the , which the team won 28-24 to claim their first title since 2019. Over his four seasons with from 2020 to 2023, Brown gained valuable playoff experience in the competitive West Division, dressing for multiple postseason games including the 2023 . On January 18, 2024, the traded Brown to the in exchange for a fifth-round pick (40th overall) in the 2024 CFL Draft, ending his tenure with the team.

Ottawa Redblacks

Dru Brown was traded to the from the on January 18, 2024, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft. He signed a two-year contract with the team on January 24, 2024. Brown's prior relief appearances in Winnipeg had honed his preparation for a full-time starting role, allowing him to step in seamlessly as Ottawa's primary quarterback under head coach . In the 2024 season, Brown started 15 games for the Redblacks, completing 312 of 464 passes for 3,959 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while achieving a 67.2% completion rate. His performance contributed to an 8-6-1 record in his starts, guiding to its first playoff appearance since 2018 with a 9-8-1 overall finish and a franchise-best 7-1-1 home record. In the Eastern Semi-Final against the , Brown set a playoff record with 46 completions on 61 attempts for 476 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, though the Redblacks lost 48-26. Under Dyce's guidance, Brown emerged as the franchise quarterback, emphasizing leadership and poise in rebuilding a competitive East Division contender. Brown signed a one-year contract extension with the Redblacks on January 15, 2025, securing his position through the 2026 season. The 2025 season proved challenging due to multiple injuries, including issues with his hip, neck, and knee, which limited him to starting nine of the team's 11 games and resulting in a 2-7 record. Despite the setbacks, he maintained a 71.5% completion rate, going 196 of 274 for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The Redblacks shut down Brown for the final three weeks on October 9, 2025, to prioritize his long-term health after the team was eliminated from playoff contention.

Career statistics and records

College statistics

Dru Brown's college career spanned the in 2015, the University of Hawaii from 2016 to 2017, and from 2018 to 2019, during which he primarily served as a with dual-threat capabilities. His statistics reflect a progression from a productive season to starting roles in , with notable contributions in both passing and rushing. Aggregated across these stops, Brown demonstrated solid efficiency, particularly in completion percentage and yards per attempt, while appearing in a total of 44 games (11 at CSM, 25 at Hawaii, 8 at OSU).

Passing Statistics

YearSchoolGamesCompletionsAttemptsCompletion %YardsTDsINTsYards/Attempt
2015College of San Mateo1110419453.61,8792189.7
2016Hawaii1320933562.42,4881977.4
2017Hawaii1225441261.72,7851886.8
2018Oklahoma State100000
2019Oklahoma State77210767.3810717.6
Total446391,04861.07,96265247.6
Brown's passing totals highlight his development, with a career completion percentage of 61.0% and 7.6 yards per attempt, metrics that underscored his accuracy and decision-making under pressure. At , his season included strong bowl game performance, where he completed 20 of 30 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns in the , earning MVP honors and contributing to the team's victory.

Rushing Statistics

YearSchoolGamesAttemptsYardsYards/AttemptTDs
2015111886
201613883063.54
2017125870.12
2018Oklahoma State1000
2019Oklahoma State72360.31
Total441695073.013
In rushing, Brown added 507 yards and 13 touchdowns over his college career, with his most dynamic output coming early at CSM and in Hawaii's run-heavy scheme, where his mobility complemented the passing attack. Limited rushing attempts at State reflected a more pocket-oriented role in his final seasons. Rushing attempts for 2015 are unavailable.

Professional statistics

Dru Brown's professional career in the Canadian Football League (CFL) spans from 2021 to 2025, primarily as a for the and . His statistics reflect a progression from a role in , where he appeared in relief across 38 games over three seasons, to a starting position in , where he led the team to a playoff appearance in 2024. Through the 2025 season, Brown has accumulated 7,832 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions, with a career completion percentage of 68.5% in 66 regular-season games. His rushing contributions total 188 yards and 5 touchdowns on 60 carries. In from 2021 to 2023, Brown threw for 1,484 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions while rushing for 113 yards and 5 touchdowns in 38 appearances, mostly in relief of starter . With the in 2024, he started 15 of 17 games, passing for 3,959 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, alongside 57 rushing yards. In 2025, an injury-limited season saw Brown make 9 starts in 11 games, posting 2,389 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, with 18 rushing yards; the team went 2-7 in his starts. Overall with through 2025, he has 6,348 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. Brown's sole playoff appearance came in 2024 as Ottawa's starting quarterback in the Eastern Semi-Final against the Toronto Argonauts, where he completed 46 of 61 passes for 476 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while rushing 3 times for 3 yards.

Regular Season Statistics

Passing and Rushing by Year

YearTeamGames Played (Starts)Completions/AttemptsYardsTDsINTsCompletion %Rushing Yards (Attempts)Rushing TDs
2021Winnipeg Blue Bombers2 (0)7/14490050.044 (7)0
2022Winnipeg Blue Bombers18 (1)33/504525266.039 (19)3
2023Winnipeg Blue Bombers18 (2)62/899839069.730 (11)2
2024Ottawa Redblacks17 (15)312/4643,959181067.257 (14)0
2025Ottawa Redblacks11 (9)196/2742,389141071.518 (9)0
Career Totals66 (27)610/8917,832462268.5188 (60)5
Source for table: Compiled from official CFL player statistics.

References

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