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TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 12: Linebacker Taye Brown #6 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after a fourth down stop during the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Mulligan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026-27 college football season is right around the corner, and the Big 12 Conference is holding its annual Media Days July 7-8 in Frisco, Texas. Arizona is sending seven players to the event along with coach Brent Brennan, a group of Wildcats who best represent what Brennan and his staff are building in the program.
In the lead up to Arizona’s appearance at Media Days on July 8, we’re taking a closer look at each rep. Today’s profile: senior linebacker Taye Brown.
* 2025 Statistics: 93 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
When you think of some of the great Wildcat linebackers, names such as Ricky Hunley, Byron Evans, and Scooby Wright III come to mind. Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales believes Brown is ready to join that list and that a breakout season is in store for him.
“Taye Brown is one of the best linebackers in the Big 12, if not the best,” Gonzales said. “He’ll probably lead our team in tackles, or be in the top three this year. He’ll be in the top five in the Big 12, and if we can stay healthy, we’ll have all those great things that we had last year.”
The Chandler native has become a constant not only in the linebacker room but on the defense as a whole. Now going into his fourth season in Tucson, he is still fighting the efforts by Gonzales trying to “out recruit” him.
“He’s always trying to motivate me and push me to be my best and not let me get comfortable,” said Brown. “I feel like it started last year. It’s the guys he brought in, we brought in really good guys like Max Harris. It really just pushed me to be my best every day, and then we invited some new guys this year.”
With Brown showing that there are no days off, linebackers coach Josh Bringuel has a trust with him that allows the defense to run schemes like the “Red Rover” formation.
“He lets us do whatever we want, just as long as we’re on the ball, and be in position for our assignments,” Brown said. “It’s definitely nice having that freedom just go out there and just have fun.”
Even though Brown is an elder statesman within the program, he still treats every day like it is his first. Reviewing and nailing down day one concepts is what makes him such a consistent player.
“I haven’t been around somebody who was so diligent with day one notes,” said Bringuel. “When I’m doing day one notice with the freshman, he’s still there taking front row notes, and he knows his stuff. He’s teaching the young guys, but he’s still taking notes.”
Heading into conference media day, Brown was named to the second team All-Big 12 team by Phil Steele Magazine. If Arizona wants to be as successful as it was last season, Brown needs to continue his consistent play and if his stats continue to climb then the Wildcats could find themselves as a contender for the Big 12 championship.
Brown has started 24 games for the UA, most of any returning defensive player, and his 38 total games played trails only Noah Fifita (40) on the roster. He enters 2027 with 18 consecutive starts at linebacker.
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