Tarell Brown was raised by his father since his mother was murdered when he was just ten years old. Tarell has a tattoo that says “warrior princess” on his arm in his mother’s honor. Tarell attended North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas where he was a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball, and running track. He played both running back and quarterback at North Mesquite. Tarell rushed for 3,011 yards and 42 touchdowns his final two years combined. He was an even better cornerback and that’s what he was recruited for. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Texas where he saw action in all 13 games as a special teams player and reserve defensive back his true freshman season. He finished the year with 9 tackles and a pass break-up. As a sophomore, Tarell earned a starting job at cornerback. He finished the season with 42 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 pass break-ups and a sack. After missing the season opener, Tarell went on to start the remaining 12 games of his junior season, helping the team to a National Championship. He finished the season with 70 tackles, 1 interception, and 8 pass break-ups. He averaged over 21 yards per kickoff return on 5 attempts. Tarell broke his arm in the Rose Bowl, causing him to miss spring practices but he was able to recover in time for his senior season. He went on to total 62 tackles, 2 interceptions and 4 pass break-ups as a senior.

Tarell Brown has a great deal of experience against top competition, having started the past three seasons at corner for the Longhorns in the Big 12. He is an intelligent player with a good combination of size and speed for the position. He has fluid hips and good ball skills. He has the speed to recover when he is beaten. He is a physical player who isn’t afraid to step up and support the run. He is a good hitter and a solid wrap-up tackler. He has some experience as a return specialist which could help him on draft day. Tarell Brown is an aggressive player but he can be a bit overaggressive at times which can lead to a big play going the other way. He does have some durability questions having broke his right arm in the Rose Bowl his junior season and having played with a broken bone in his foot as a senior. He also has some character issues having been arrested on weapons and marijuana charges last September. Tarell Brown isn’t going to be a “shut down” corner in the NFL, but he does have the ability to develop into a solid starting cornerback. Character issues may push him back to the second day of the 2007 NFL draft.