Rated as a top-12 prospect nationally, Baron Browning arrived in Columbus back in January with massive expectations. The Kennedale, Texas, product was the first five-star out-of-state linebacker prospect signed by Urban Meyer since Raekwon McMillan in 2014.
McMillan more than lived up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of high school. He enjoyed a standout three-year career at Ohio State and was just recently selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the NFL Draft.
Browning will attempt to do the same.
His development, however, was delayed a bit.
Browning arrived at Ohio State as one of 10 early enrollees in order to participate in spring practice. But on March 28, just a couple of weeks into spring ball, Meyer announced Browning would miss the rest of practice due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. It was later reported Browning suffered a torn labrum.
“Baron is a big boy that moves well. ... I’m very confident that with a lot of work and time and effort put in between now and fall he’ll be OK.”– Ohio State LBs coach Billy Davis
Browning is expected to be fully recovered in time for fall camp, but new Ohio State linebackers coach Billy Davis said at the conclusion of spring ball the time Browning missed was obviously an unfortunate situation.
“You never want them to miss the reps of spring ball — that’s invaluable,” Davis said. “Baron got hurt real early and he was just figuring out what he didn’t know. We were at the very beginning with him and he got hurt, missed some valuable reps. We were disappointed that he missed those but we are glad that in the fall he’s going to get those.”
Prior to the injury, Browning impressed the staff.
At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Browning is about as ready-made as linebacker prospects come. He was the No. 1-ranked outside linebacker in the 2017 class and a five-star recruit, according to 247Sports’ composite ratings. A role similar to the one McMillan played as a true freshman — a non-starter who rotated in and played meaningful snaps — was a possibility for Browning this season.
It still is, too, despite the injury. Davis said Browning spent the first few spring practices working at the MIKE linebacker position because it’s a bit easier to learn, but there’s no question he is capable of playing anywhere.
“He could go to an outside spot, but as a freshman coming into camp, I gave him the MIKE to learn first,” Davis said. “I think once you learn the MIKE, the WILL and SAM become easier.”
Meyer and other Ohio State assistants weren’t shy this spring when it came to praising the group of early enrollees. Despite his injury, Browning earned a portion of that praise.
That’s precisely why Browning still has a chance to make an impact on the field this fall for the Buckeyes. He turned plenty of heads in his short time on campus.
“Baron is a big boy that moves well,” Davis said. “He’s still coming from the high school football scheme and he’s got to transition and that was what spring was going to help him with, but I’m very confident that with a lot of work and time and effort put in between now and fall he’ll be OK.”
