COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: LOCAL COLLEGE PLAYERS LOOKING TO BUILD UPON SEASON OF EXPERIENCES BROWN MIGHT REDSHIRT AT BYU; HAGAN, EASON EXPECTED TO GET MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

Three freshmen from Antelope Valley high schools made an impact for their respective Division I-A football teams in 2002.

But while Derek Hagan (Palmdale High) could be poised for a breakout year at Arizona State and Jerome Eason (Antelope Valley) should get more chances at Utah State, Curtis Brown (Paraclete) will redshirt.

At least that's the most likely thing Brown will do in 2003 at Brigham Young. After injuries thrust Brown into a brief stint as the Cougars' primary tailback, his playing time diminished toward the end of the season. Brown missed spring practice with a fractured hand.

``Curtis Brown, who did a nice job for us last year, will probably redshirt the season,'' Cougars coach Gary Crowton said.

And with starter Marcus Whalen returning, it might benefit Brown if he sits out the season.

``Marcus is a solid, physical player,'' Crowton said. ``He has the ability to be one of the top backs in the Mountain West Conference.''

Brown has a chance to be among the conference's elite eventually when he returns in 2004. He teased Cougars fans last season in a game at Utah State. Replacing an injured Whalen, the region's all-time leading rusher gained 217 yards and had three touchdowns to help rally BYU to a a 35-34 victory.

But his playing time was limited after that, and he finished with 299 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Eason, one of the Golden League's most dangerous receivers when he starred for the Antelopes, has the physical tools (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) to be a standout at Utah State. And with NFL draft pick Kevin Curtis gone, the Aggies' receiving situation is wide open.

In Utah State's spring game, Eason made his bid for a starting spot by catching five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. As a freshman reserve, he had two catches for 27 yards. He will serve as a backup receiver.

--Did you say Ute? Utah's football program is beginning a new era with the arrival of coach Urban Meyer, a passing-game guru whose offenses feature no-huddle play-calling and shotgun formations.

That could play right into the hands of incoming junior receiver Jerome Wright (Highland/Antelope Valley College). Wright had a huge 2002 for the Marauders and could get an opportunity in the Utes' three-receiver formations. Meyer was unsure about who would get the majority of the starts during spring practice.

Wright didn't hurt himself in the final spring scrimmage, catching a 48- yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Brett Elliott and finishing with 69 receiving yards.

--Going home: Washington native James Laurence, who complemented Wright's 76-catch season at AVC with 55 receptions for 791 yards and three touchdowns, will be a factor at Western Washington in the fall.

After enrolling for the spring, Laurence emerged second on the wide receiver depth chart behind Vikings' returner Ryan Van Diest. Laurence is from Kent, Wash.

--Injury scare: DeAndra Cobb, who made a name for himself as a running back at AVC, will play in the secondary at Michigan State. The Las Vegas native will get a look at cornerback and could return kicks.

``I'm real excited about DeAndra,'' Michigan State assistant Paul Haynes told the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal.

But during the last play in a Spartans' spring-practice scrimmage, Cobb's hopes to contribute were briefly in doubt when he suffered a scary injury. While tackling Michigan State running back Chad Simon, Cobb's head hit Simon's knees and he was knocked unconscious.

He was fitted with a neck brace and taken off the field on a stretcher. He was able to walk into the ambulance, however, and X-rays were negative. He suffered only a mild concussion.

Chris Cocoles, [phone]

chris.cocoles(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Former Paraclete standout Curtis Brown, left, likely will redshirt this season at Brigham Young after starting some last year.

Douglas C. Pizac/Associated Press