The team's 2006 Defensive Player of the Year came into his own as a senior, his first season as a full-time starter. Part of the defensive tackle rotation during his first three years at Miami, Brown proved more than capable of chasing down opposing ball carriers and quarterbacks during his final season, registering 11 sacks to go along with 16 pressures. Three of those pressures resulted in interceptions.

Brown's 11 ½ sacks in 2006 are the second most by a Hurricane defensive tackle in a season. His total of 20 ½ sacks for his collegiate career also rank second among Miami defensive tackles on the school's all-time record charts.

At Norland High School, Brown was a standout two-way lineman, competing as a defensive end and offensive tackle. He was forced to sit out his senior season due to age requirements, but earned All-Dade County honors and was his team's Defensive MVP as a junior, adding Prep Star All-American honors.

Brown was rated the 77th-best prospect overall in Florida by Super Prep and rated the best defensive lineman in the state by Florida Prep Football. He also placed seventh on the Miami-Dade Top 20 list compiled by the Miami Herald. He earned "All-Camper" Awards at the Louisiana State and Michigan State camps and added Red Zone Player of the Year honors in 2000.

As a junior, Brown recorded 121 tackles (74 solos) with 17 sacks, one interception, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was also a standout in basketball, as he averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game during his career.

Brown enrolled at the University of Miami in 2002, choosing the school over offers from Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan State and Louisiana State. He played as a 255-pound defensive tackle on the scout team that year, joining the tackle rotation in 2003. Playing behind Orien Harris in 11 games, Brown started once that year against Tennessee at right tackle. He finished the season with 23 tackles (eight solos), four sacks and nine quarterback pressures.

Part of the team's rotating unit that consisted of Harris, Santonio Thomas and Baraka Atkins in 2004, Brown earned a starting assignment at right tackle against North Carolina. He produced 28 tackles (eight solos) with a sack, six stops for losses and six pressures. He had a fumble recovery that he returned 20 yards and also caused a fumble in 12 games.

Brown was the key reserve at both tackle positions in 2005, starting for an injured Atkins at left tackle against Clemson. In 12 contests, he came up with 46 tackles (28 solos), 4 ½ sacks and 8 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He recovered two fumbles, returning one 20 yards for a touchdown. He also caused a fumble and broke up six passes.

Brown earned team Defensive Lineman of the Year honors and was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice in 2006. He started nine of 13 games at left tackle, recording a career-high 60 tackles (38 solos). He ranked 14th in the nation and second in the ACC with a career-high 11 sacks, adding 12 ½ stops for losses and 16 pressures. He also batted away a pass and caused a fumble.

In 48 games at Miami, Brown started just 12 games, but ranks 11th overall and second among Hurricanes interior linemen all-time with 20 ½ sacks for minus-109 yards. He made 157 tackles (82 solos) with 33 ½ stops for losses of 132 yards and 37 quarterback pressures. He recovered three fumbles for 40 yards in returns, including a touchdown and caused three others. He also came up with eight pass deflections.