Raleek Brown
Raleek Brown
5’-8” 185 lbs
Position: RB
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Commit Status: USC (signed December 15, 2021)
Transfer: Arizona State (commits December 16, 2023)
Raleek Brown – Get to Know Him
Note: Brown transitioned from running back to receiver in the spring of 2023.
Five-star running back Raleek Brown is a 5’-8”, 185 lb. dynamo. Born on August 2, 2003, Raleek is small in stature, but very fast. He frequently draws comparisons to the Colt’s Nyheim Hines.
Raleek eclipsed the 11-second mark in the 100-yard dash multiple times and, as a high school freshman, notched a certified 4.47 in the 40. Even better, his speed is clearly visible on the field. He runs with impressive short distance suddenness and lateral explosiveness. Raleek is also adept at catching the ball and will likely develop into a capable all-purpose back.
Raleek originally committed to play his college ball with Oklahoma, but decommitted to play for the USC Trojans instead. It’s assumed that was related to the announcement that Oklahoma’s head coach, Lincoln Riley, had left the Sooners to become the head coach at USC.
Latest news:
12/16/2023 – Raleek Brown, a standout running back from USC and a highly sought-after transfer in the 2024 portal, has decided to join Arizona State University (ASU). Brown, a former four-star prospect out of Mater Dei High School, brings with him two years of experience from USC, where he showcased versatility in both running back and wide receiver roles. Despite limited playtime last season due to injury, Brown still possesses three years of eligibility, offering a promising addition to ASU’s roster. Expressing excitement about his decision, Brown highlighted ASU’s football program and academic opportunities as key factors. With ASU securing its 10th transfer this year, the team continues to bolster its roster, ranking among the top classes in the nation according to 247Sports. This information was reported by Jeff Vinton, 12 Sports. (Vinton, 2023).
11/7/2023 – The future of Raleek Brown at USC raises significant roster questions as the off-season approaches, as reported by Donovan James in Trojans Wire. The dynamic 5-foot-8 running back, showcasing speed and evident potential, stepped in during Saturday night’s game against Washington due to MarShawn Lloyd’s injury. Despite a 52-42 loss, USC’s offensive performance wasn’t lacking, with Caleb Williams impressively passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns. In his first action since late August, Brown contributed with 3 carries for 16 yards and a touchdown, along with 2 catches for 4 yards. Having amassed 227 rushing yards, 175 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns as a true freshman last year, Brown can still play in two more games to preserve his redshirt. However, with the Trojans facing three losses in their last four games, the decision to utilize him next year instead of this season seems prudent. The key question revolves around Brown’s commitment to USC for 2024 or a potential entry into the transfer portal, a decision that remains uncertain with two games left in USC’s regular season against the Oregon Ducks and the UCLA Bruins. (James, 2023).
10/8/2023 – Luca Evans, who covers USC athletics for the Southern California News Group, reports that USC’s undefeated start to the season has raised questions about the absence of sophomore wide receiver Raleek Brown, who switched from running back to receiver in the spring. Brown has only played in one game this season and has been practicing with the scout team. Reports suggested he might redshirt his sophomore year, and now it has been confirmed by his father. Brown had a hamstring injury and struggled to find a role in USC’s deep receiving corps, despite an impressive freshman year with six touchdowns. (Evans, 2023).
9/10/2023 – Raleek Brown, known for his speed and versatility, impressed Trojan fans last season as a running back, slot receiver, and kick returner, scoring six touchdowns and gaining over 400 yards. However, there’s speculation that the sophomore may redshirt in 2023 due to the stacked Trojan offense. Head Coach Lincoln Riley mentioned this possibility, given the emergence of slot receivers Tahj Washington, Mario Williams, and Zachariah Branch, as well as the crucial roles of running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Austin Jones. At 5’8″ and 185 pounds, Brown’s size doesn’t align with the team’s current needs, and his limited receptions in 2023 raise questions about his role. Riley remains optimistic about Brown’s potential but acknowledges the uncertainty in his future contributions.
1/4/2023 – Although Tulane stunned USC by reeling off 16 points in the final four minutes and handing the Trojans a 46-45 loss in the Cotton Bowl, the 2022 Adopt-A-Player, Raleek Brown, finished the season with a nice game. He scampered for 61 yards on six carries with a 39-yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter and caught two balls for 24 yards.
Brown finishes the 2022 campaign with 227 rushing yards on 42 carries and 175 receiving yards on 16 receptions. He rang up six touchdowns – three through the air and three on the ground.
12/1/2022 – Brown rushed for a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter of USC’s 38-27 win over Notre Dame last week, extending the Trojans’ lead to 24-7. He finished with two carries, two receptions, and the touchdown. Former coach of Raleek Brown says it’s only a matter of time. “The more USC turns Raleek loose, the happier they’re going to be,” said Bruce Rollinson, longtime Mater Dei football coach and Brown’s high school coach. “I think the sky’s the limit for that young man.”
10/29/2022 – On 3rd and 6 on USC’s second drive, sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams threw a slingshot pass to freshman running back Raleek Brown on the left side. Brown beat the lone defensive end in his area at 2:57 in the first quarter to score USC’s first touchdown in two weeks.
10/8/2022 – USC head coach, Lincoln Riley, reports that Raleek Brown has been playing with an ankle injury through the first five games of the season but is very close to being 100%. Iliyan Lakhani from reignoftroy.com believes that, once Brown is totally healthy, USC’s already-high-powered offense could take a significant leap moving forward. According to Lakhani, Brown’s speed and athleticism, as well as his ability to break free downhill, immediately increases the potential of USC Football.
2023 STATS
| Opponent | Score | Car | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose State | W, 56-28 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 0 |
| Nevada | W, 66-14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Stanford | W, 56-10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Arizona State | W, 42-28 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Colorado | W, 48-41 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Arizona | W, 43-41 (3OT) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Notre Dame | L, 20-48 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Utah | L, 32-34 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| California | W, 50-49 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Washington | L, 42-52 | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 |
| Oregon | L, 27-36 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| UCLA | L, 20-38 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Louisville | W, 42-28 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| TOTALS | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 6.0 | 0 |
2022 STATS
| Opponent | Score | Car | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | W, 66-14 | 6 | 36 | 6.0 | 1 | 2 | 40 | 20.0 | 0 |
| Stanford | W, 41-28 | 4 | 19 | 4.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Fresno State | W, 45-17 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 |
| Oregon State | W, 17-14 | 3 | 8 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Arizona State | W, 42-25 | 6 | 27 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Washington St | W, 30-14 | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 |
| Utah | L, 42-43 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Arizona | W, 45-37 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 1 |
| California | W, 41-35 | 2 | -1 | -0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Colorado | W, 55-17 | 7 | 52 | 7.4 | 0 | 2 | 38 | 19.0 | 1 |
| UCLA | W, 48-45 | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 9.0 | 0 |
| Notre Dame | W, 38-27 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 0 |
| Utah | L, 24-47 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | -1 | -0.5 | 1 |
| Tulane | L, 45-46 | 6 | 61 | 10.2 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 0 |
| TOTALS | 42 | 227 | 5.4 | 3 | 16 | 175 | 10.9 | 3 |