Kaleb Brown eager to become top target of Hawkeyes’ aerial attack

IOWA CITY, Ia. — He’s striving to be the Hawkeyes’ go-to wide receiver as the team navigates through fall camp, and using the practice field as his safe haven.

After getting arrested for an OWI this past June, Kaleb Brown is shifting his focus towards the team, and leaving the humility in the rearview mirror. The last thing Brown wants is for his mistake to be a distraction for his teammates and coaches. Most importantly, he’s grateful for all of their support through this difficult matter.

Which is why he’s taking the initiative to lead by example, and that includes winning everyone’s trust back. Brown doesn’t want to disappoint the fans again with poor choices off the field, and plans on proving his worth to the offense with stellar play in practice.

“We’re in fall camp so this is probably the best time to focus on football, and not the outside world,” Brown said. “I’m definitely leaving it in the past, and putting it behind me because I got my guys around me, and I’m just focusing on football.”

After all, Brown has some momentum to build on, considering he turned it up a notch down the stretch last season. The Chicago native caught at least one pass in each of Iowa’s final six games. Brown displayed the ability to be a deep threat, when he hauled in a season-high, seven receptions for 71 yards in the victory over Illinois. Brown also caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in the win over Rutgers.

He’s soaking up new Offensive Coordinator Tim Lester’s playbook like a sponge, and building chemistry with quarterback Cade McNamara. Brown is taking a lot of what he learned from former teammate Nico Ragaini, and applying it all on the gridiron.

The former four-star prospect finds it encouraging that Lester is having an immediate impact on the wide receiver room. Practice is getting more intense with each day the Hawkeyes inch a step closer to the opener. Brown is out to prove he’s a reliable target, who can deliver in the clutch.

There’s a slim margin for error being a possession receiver in the Big Ten, but Brown is embracing what comes with the territory. From running crisp routes, to efficient blocking and catching passes out on the edge, Brown is eager to become a complete receiver. Now he feels all of his hard work is paying off, and believes the best is yet to come.

“I definitely been grinding during the offseason, just polished myself and everything like that,” he said. “I’m just super excited and proud to see what the rest of the season is going to bring.”

The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder started out his career at Ohio State in 2022, but only appeared in four games, and caught one pass that year.

However, Brown finished second on the Hawkeyes in receptions, and third in receiving yards in 2023. Lester’s offense may require him to increase his production from last season, so every rep he takes with McNamara is crucial. The two continue to push each other in practice, and they’re all business when the helmet and pads are on in live action. In Brown’s eyes, everything is going according to schedule and the vibe is positive.

“We hang out, we kick it from time to time, a lot of times it’s a lot of work getting on the field, and playing catch,” the 20-year old said. “That’s really what our relationship evolve around.”

Going up against one of the best defenses in the country everyday brings out the best in Brown, and he appreciates Phil Parker’s defense pushing him to the limit. At the end of the day, Brown continues to hold his own in practice. Now he’s confident that all of the blue-collar work is going to help the offense when Iowa gets into Big Ten play.

“Coach Parker is a great Defensive Coordinator, so just to see what we can do against them is enough proof in the pudding for me.”