BROTHER ACT—McNeese State’s Brown brothers from Kentwood — Darrick at left and Marcus — look over an old McNeese yearbook. Darrick will receive his degree on Saturday during graduation ceremonies while Marcus will graduate next summer, and both will conclude their collegiate athletic careers in track next spring. -Photo courtesy McNeese State Sports Information

LAKE CHARLES-College football may be over for Kentwood's Brown brothers, but they aren't done yet at McNeese State.

Former Roo standout Darrick Brown will be one of several student athletes picking up diplomas on Saturday during McNeese State's graduation ceremonies, while brother Marcus is on track to graduate next summer.

And while both still have track & field competition to look forward to in the spring, anything Darrick does in that realm will pale in comparison to getting that sheepskin.

“I'll be the first in my family to earn one,” said Darrick, who will receive a degree in general studies but will also begin working towards a master degree in Exercise Science.

The 6-4, 200 pounder, who played as both a defensive back (his final two seasons) and as a wide receiver (his first two years) for the Cowboy football team, may be the top overall athlete at the university right now. Brown has been one of the track team's most decorated athletes during his career in long jump, triple jump and high jump competition.

An injury curtailed his track season last year, but as a sophomore he won the Southland Conference indoor title in the triple jump and scored a total of 39 points indoors and outdoors at conference. In 2005 he had 25 points at conference giving him a total of 64 points at conference meets.

He's also earned an all-America honor with a top 10 finish at the NCAA national meet, giving him some athletic options in addition to his classroom pursuits.

“If he keeps training like he has,” said McNeese strength coach Zeb Hawkins, “some football team is going to give him a chance as a free agent because he's going to test out very high.”

But Cowboy track acoach Brendon Gilroy believes that Brown has a chance on the pro track circuit.

Gilroy coached current professional long jump standout Bryan Johnson at Iowa High and saw him go on to win the NCAA title while at Southern and in recent years make his mark on the professional circuit as a member of the Nike team.

“He's definitely got the ability,” Gilroy said. “He's cut in the same mold as Bryan. Bryan is just a little taller.”

Brown's track goals this season are to hit 26 feet in the long jump and a seven feet in the high jump. He's jumped 25-plus in the long jump both indoors and outdoors, 6-10 3/4 outdoors and 6-8 indoors in the high jump, and 49-4 1/2 outdoors and 48-0 3/4 indoors in the triple jump.

“To make it as a pro in track and field,” Gilroy said, “he's going to have to be consistent at 26 feet in the long jump.”

It helps to have a familiar workout partner in brother Marcus, who also played four seasons of football for the two-time SLC champions and has been a conference medal performer in both the long jump and triple jump.

Marcus will become the second Brown to graduate from McNeese when he receives his degree next summer, and like Darrick is hoping for a chance to play professional football.

“Both have the speed (4.3+ clocking in the 40), strength (bench press 225 pounds 14 times in a row) and size (Darrick is 6-4, 200 pounds; Marcus 6-2, 200 pounds),” said Cowboy co-defensive coordinator Jason Rollins. “I would think that both will get a look.”

BROTHER ACT-McNeese State's Brown brothers from Kentwood - Darrick at left and Marcus - look over an old McNeese yearbook. Darrick will receive his degree on Saturday during graduation ceremonies while Marcus will graduate next summer, and both will conclude their collegiate athletic careers in track next spring.