Hoops star gaining football interest

Memphis (Tenn.) Harding Academy's Marlon Brown has spent much of his career as a guard, a shooting guard. As his high school athletic career develops, the junior may need to get used to people referring to him as a wide receiver as well. The 6-foot-5 205-pounder has always seen himself as a basketball star, but with some recent offers in football, he may need to start making room for a football career.

As a sophomore on the hardwood, Brown led his team with 16 points and seven rebounds per game. As a sophomore on the football field, Brown put up 780 yards receiving and eight touchdown grabs on 41 receptions. As a junior, Brown's domination on the football field has only increased. Now, he is coming to grips with his potential as a football player.

"Basketball's my favorite sport," Brown said. "I definitely want to play both in college."

While he has yet to pick up an offer in basketball, early indications are that he will have plenty of options on the football field.

"Tennessee, Oklahoma, Auburn and Ole Miss have already offered me," he said. "I went to the Tennessee-South Carolina game and it was real fun. I met all the coaches, watched the game and had a good time. The coaches are real nice and real energetic."

Though the challenge of playing two sports on the college level is not lost on Brown, he is confident he can handle it.

"It will be tough like my first year," he said. "After that, I think once I learn to deal with everything, it will be ok."

Despite the challenge, playing two sports has helped Brown by his ability to take the skills from the basketball court onto the football field.

"Basketball has helped me to know my surroundings better," he said. "On the football field I like to see everything and that's something I've learned on the basketball court."

Brown is considered a potential major college prospect in basketball, but his big frame and unique athleticism make him a special football prospect. His early list of favorites include Auburn, Alabama, Notre Dame and Tennessee.