From Starkville and Oxford to the SuperBowl, Meet A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown, one of Mississippi’s most famous football stars, is headed to the Super Bowl! Let’s dive into AJ’s career, from high school in Starkville, college in Oxford, and into the NFL.

Starkville: The Starting Point

Though A.J. Brown’s professional career has flourished in Philadelphia, his roots are firmly planted in Mississippi. Born in Starkville on June 30, 1997, Brown grew up in a town synonymous with college football excellence. Starkville is home to Mississippi State University, which has produced several NFL players over the years. However, Brown’s football journey took a different turn—one that would eventually lead him to Oxford, Mississippi, and Ole Miss.

Starkville, Mississippi, might be best known as the home of Mississippi State’s Bulldogs, but it also boasts a proud football legacy. For Brown, this small town in the heart of Mississippi provided the foundation for his gridiron journey. He attended Starkville High School, where he quickly emerged as one of the state’s top football prospects.

At Starkville High, A.J. was an elite wide receiver, and his talent was evident early on. As a senior, he had a phenomenal season, recording 83 receptions for 1,371 yards, and 13 touchdowns, and led his team to a 6A state championship.

Choosing Ole Miss

Despite growing up just a stone’s throw away from Mississippi State University, A.J. Brown made a bold decision to sign with their in-state rival, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), for his collegiate career. It was a choice that would ultimately shape his future and bring national attention to his name.

As a freshman at Ole Miss in 2016, Brown wasted no time proving his worth. He finished his first season and first game with two receptions for 48 yards. As a true freshman, Brown played in all 12 games and finished fifth on the team with 29 receptions for 412 yards and two touchdowns. He finished fourth among SEC freshmen with 2.4 catches per game and fifth with 34.3 receiving yards per game.

But it was his sophomore year in 2017 that truly catapulted him into the spotlight. Brown erupted and started breaking school records and pushing boundaries. He tied the school record with 14 receptions against Louisiana along with 185 yards and two touchdowns while setting the school record for receiving yards in a game with 233 against South Alabama. Brown finished the season with 75 receptions for a school-record 1,252 yards and a school-record-tying 11 touchdowns (shared with Laquon Treadwell) in 12 games, leading the team and the SEC. He was later awarded the Conerly Trophy, an honor given to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi.

His junior year, it was all too familiar. Brown again led the team and the SEC in receiving, finishing with a school-record 85 receptions (later passed) 1,320 yards (still the record), and six touchdowns. It was after this season that he decided to register for the NFL draft and not complete his senior year as a rebel.

NFL Journey with the Tennessee Titans:

A.J. Brown was initially drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft (51st overall pick. He quickly made a name for himself as one of the league’s top young wide receivers during his rookie year. Brown finished his rookie year with 52 receptions for 1,051 receiving yards (leading all NFL rookies) and eight receiving touchdowns, causing some to regard him as “the steal of the 2019 draft”. He stayed with the Tennessee Titans from 2019-2021, and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. During the 2022 NFL draft, Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft, which the Titans used to select wide receiver Treylon Burks from Arkansas, a player widely compared to Brown. This left Brown to the Eagles, where he signed a four-year, $100 million contract. The trade was opposed by Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who did not want to lose Brown. Brown’s absence contributed to a decrease of 60 receptions and 860 yards among Titans wide receivers through 13 weeks and was one reason for the Titans’ decision to fire general manager Jon Robinson at that point in the season.

A Franchise Player for the Eagles:

A.J. Brown currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles as their number-one wide receiver. Since joining the team in 2022, Brown has become an integral part of their offense. Throughout his career, A.J. has already posted multiple seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, including his breakout year in 2022 with the Eagles. In just his first season with the team, he racked up 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the league’s premier playmakers. Brown set the franchise record for most receiving yards in a player’s debut in the season-opening 38–35 road victory over the Detroit Lions, finishing with 10 receptions for 155 yards.

Brown’s impact on the Eagles’ offense has been undeniable. His ability to take over games and deliver in clutch moments has made him a key figure in Philadelphia’s playoff aspirations, helping lead them to the NFC Championship in his first season with the team. His speed and ability to break free from defenders make him an elite deep threat, while his physicality and route-running precision make him a versatile weapon.

In just a few years, A.J. Brown has transformed into a franchise player for the Eagles. His leadership and production on the field have made him one of the faces of the team, and his reliability in key situations has helped elevate the Eagles’ offense to new heights. His arrival in Philadelphia marked the beginning of a new chapter for the team, as they went on to finish with the best record in the NFC in 2022.

As a franchise player, Brown has also taken on an off-field role, becoming a mentor for younger players and a locker room leader. His professionalism, work ethic, and passion for the game have earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches, making him not just a star, but also a cornerstone for the Eagles for years to come. Now, AJ Brown is fighting for a Super Bowl ring again- his second tussle in another Eagles vs. Chiefs playoff game.

Mississippi Roots:

As Brown’s career continues to flourish with the Eagles, the people of Mississippi are rightfully proud of A.J. Brown. In many ways, A.J. Brown has come to represent not just the pride of Mississippi, but the strength and resilience of small-town America. His success story shows that no matter where you come from, with the right determination and talent, greatness is within reach.

From Starkville to Philadelphia, A.J. Brown’s journey is just beginning, but for many, he will always be a Mississippi icon—one of the state’s finest football products and a testament to its rich athletic heritage.

Author administrator Corinne Ellington