In the never-ending drama of college football, fortunes can change on one play, and lineups are remade in an instant. The story of Markevious Brown is a script yet to have its last act. Once an SEC-born four-star prospect with Big Ten production, Brown is now in the 2025 transfer portal.
With solid film, top-level experience, and an abundance of athleticism, Brown is the kind of late-cycle defensive back who might be an instant starter. But after dropping out of Purdue in mid-season 2024 due to personal reasons, there’s a degree of uncertainty that makes his case all the more interesting.
Markevious Brown, The Four-Star Pedigree and SEC Beginnings
Markevious Brown hit the headlines at an early part of his career as a blue-chip recruit out of IMG Academy. The place was one of the top high school football factories in the country. A four-star cornerback according to top sites such as ESPN and 247Sports, he received offers across the country. Brown eventually signed with Ole Miss, entering the vaunted SEC with the hopes of contributing early.
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His first year in 2021 was a development year—five games, three tackles, all special teams. By 2022, he had broken into the rotation, playing all 13 games and making 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. Though the statistics weren’t spectacular, the glimpses of promise were impossible to overlook.
Nevertheless, Brown craved a greater role.
That desire brought him to Purdue before the 2023 season, where he’d have the chance to be more than just a rotational player. He had aspirations to start—and he did.
Breakout Season at Purdue and the Sudden Departure
Brown lost no time showing himself in West Lafayette. In 2023, he played in all 12 games, starting 11 of them, and established himself immediately as one of Purdue’s most consistent defenders.
His line was legit: 45 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles—including a strip-sack-turned-touchdown that turned a crucial game at Illinois. That type of production doesn’t occur randomly. Brown was tough, intelligent, and athletic, playing confidently in both man and zone schemes and asserting himself as a run defender.
Entering 2024, hopes were high, and he did not disappoint early. Through the first four games, he accumulated nine tackles and three deflections on passes. But just as things were going smoothly, Brown left the team mid-October for personal reasons. He saved his last year of eligibility and quietly slipped away from the limelight.
That choice was made without much explanation—naturally enough—but it added an element of intrigue to his career trajectory. Then, on April 16, 2025, he returned to the portal, re-firing interest nationwide.
What Might Brown Bring Into The Team?
Here’s what makes Brown such a compelling case: his resume is real. He’s played in two Power Four conferences, started against top-level competition, and demonstrated the type of versatility that every defensive coordinator dreams about. Throughout his career, Brown has accumulated:
- 76 tackles
- 4 tackles for loss
- 1 sack
- 11 pass breakups
- 2 forced fumbles
He has the equipment to fit into nearly any scheme—press-man, zone, hybrid—due to the blend of his speed, awareness, and physicality. He’s not afraid to come up in run support, either, which makes him a perfect fit for defensive schemes that require corners to do more than just cover.
But here’s the catch: the uncertainty surrounding his departure from Purdue makes him the kind of “wild card” that can make some programs hesitate. Is he 100% ready to return to football? Will he be available for fall camp? These are questions that only Brown and those close to him can truly answer.
What Teams Could Use Him Right Now?
Even with the unknowns, his potential is undeniable, particularly for secondary-deficient programs. Brown has the experience to step into a starting role and the maturity to guide a young DB room. He could assist:
- Power Four teams that missed on previous cornerback transfers or lost prime pieces to the NFL
- Group of Five hopefuls seeking a plug-and-play shutdown guy to provide a pass-defense boost
- Rosters that operate man-heavy or press-zone defenses and require a physical, cerebral corner who’s been around the block
With his ability, it’s astonishing he hasn’t signed yet—but that probably has more to do with his process than disinterest. Brown has already generated buzz in past portal periods, and it goes without saying that several squads are doing their due diligence.
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And the only question now is: Who’s gonna pull the trigger?
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