Defensive Player of the Year: Tamauzia Brown, Newton

Tamauzia Brown is an NFL talent.

At least Newton coach W.T. Johnston thinks so. He's not the only one.

"I've had a lot of people tell me that," he said. "The thing about him, he's got different ball skills than anybody else. It's unbelievable the ball skills he has. It's just a natural deal. Guys like him, they're just different. They were born different. God gave him a little bit more than he gave everybody else. That's his biggest attribute."

Brown burst onto the scene during his junior campaign as a two-way player. His accomplishments on offense were laudable, but his defensive play separated him from the crowd.

Playing cornerback for the Eagles, Brown led East Texas with 12 interceptions. Even more impressive, Brown led the pack all season while being a game behind after Hurricane Harvey forced Newton to cancel its season opener. For his accomplishments, he is the ETSN.fm Defensive Player of the Year.

Johnston said each game, Brown would defend the opposing team's best receiver. Each game, he would shut them down. After a while, Brown became perplexed.

"He kept saying, 'Coach, I can't believe they're still throwing at me,'" Johnston said. "I said, 'Well, you're covering the best receiver. They're going to throw to their best receiver.'"

Brown played most of the season with only one scholarship offer, but his recruitment has blown up since Newton's Class 3A Division II state championship victory. He is up to 12 offers, including the likes of Oklahoma State, TCU, Baylor and Texas Tech.

"It was like the Big 12 conference offered him," Johnston said.

Brown will gear up for his senior season as Newton tries to repeat as state champions. With him, Darwin Barlow, James Sylvester, Josh Foster and several other key players returning, it seems more likely than not.

When the season is through, he will have a choice to make beyond what school to play for. Receive or cornerback? Johnston said Brown has the skills to excel at either position, but has a guess as to his preference.

"I think he would rather play receiver if he has his choice," Johnston said. "I think he is an NFL corner, but he might be an NFL receiver."

It seems, in a situation such as this, there is no wrong choice.