OU football: Justin Brown reportedly transferring to Oklahoma

Brown will be immediately eligible to play for the Sooners, as per a provision in the NCAA sanctions handed down in response to the Penn State child abuse scandal.

The drawn-out process in choosing between Oklahoma and Penn State is reminiscent of Brown's previous recruiting decision, made as a senior at Concord High School in Wilmington, Del., in 2009.

He had narrowed his many scholarship offers down to Penn State and Rutgers, but the low-key Brown didn't let anyone know which way he leaned.

Even his coach, George Kosanovich, didn't know his decision until signing day. He said it's just an example of Brown's quiet nature.

“I think the coaches from Rutgers thought they had him,” Kosanovich said. “But he ended up going to Penn State.”

This time, though, Penn State lost out on Brown.

First-year coach Bill O'Brien reportedly met multiple times over the past couple of days with Brown, but was unable to convince him to stay.

Brown had 35 receptions, 517 yards and two touchdowns last season at Penn State, but could see a vast increase in production as part of a more pass-oriented offensive system like Oklahoma's.

In high school, Kosanovich used Brown at both flanker and safety, one of just a few Concord players who has seen action on both sides of the ball.

“He's not afraid to hit, or be hit,” the coach said. “He was outstanding back there. He would come up and really, really smack kids.

“I thought he could be a great safety, myself, but his hands are too good.”