Brown holding his own with 49ers

There have been no shortage of storylines surrounding the San Francisco 49ers this season. Some were good, some not so good. But one that may have flown under the radar was the development of Albany’s Trent Brown.

In just his second season in the league, the offensive lineman has been heralded as one of the most promising young fixtures in the 49ers’ offense. This is especially important given the indecisiveness the team has faced at the quarterback position. Brown said he has to remain focused on getting his job done regardless of who’s out there with him.

“It doesn’t matter who’s under center, it’s still my job to keep whoever’s back there upright,” he said.

Brown’s father, Reggie, said there was epiphany by his son during the offseason about what he could potentially do this year. Reggie said in that moment Trent decided to make the most of the chance had been given. He noted that this year’s production was something he knew his son was capable of all along.

“I always believed in my son and the things he was doing,” Reggie Brown said. “He talked to me about his dreams and his ambitions and the things he wants to do with this opportunity, and he knew that took hard work.”

Trent echoed the latter sentiment and said he had a completely different approach after his rookie season.

“I just went into the offseason with a different mindset, to come back this season prepared and ready to be the Day 1 starter,” he said. “I took that initiative every day, to get up and work by myself. I was running the sand dunes, I was pushing my truck. I even watched film on some of the upcoming opponents on YouTube because we don’t have access to our iPads during the offseason. I just took all of my resources and used them, and I feel like it’s been a pretty successful year.”

Westover head coach, and Brown’s former coach, Octavia Jones, said that ethic was one of his former standout’s top attributes during his short time as a Patriot.

“We had him for one year, but he had a really good work ethic. He worked really hard,” Jones said. “Always doing extra work so he could become better. He spent time in the weight room to improve his strength, which was something he was lacking. I just saw his work ethic and his desire to become a better player.”

In addition to the time he’s put in to improve, Brown is quick to cite his support system for helping him get to this point in his career, particularly his teammate and mentor Joe Staley. Though Staley has missed the last few games with a hamstring injury, the elder lineman saw the potential in Brown and has since undergone the task of imparting necessary knowledge about their position, as well as the game in general. Brown said Staley’s confidence in him has meant a lot in his young career.

“We talk on a daily basis almost, about how he tells me that he can see the potential in me and that I could be the best ever, and people will be talking about me for a long time,” Brown said. “He stays on me every day to make sure I’m doing even the smallest things right in practice, in the film room, in meetings, taking notes. It’s all the small stuff.”

With this year’s goal of establishing himself as a young force to be reckoned with accomplished, Brown said he has his sights set on making the Pro Bowl next year. He will use that same work ethic that’s taken him from Westover to the University of Florida and, finally, to the NFL, to help him achieve his next goal.

“I’m only gonna go up from here,” he said. “I’m approaching the offseason, and I’m ready to get back to the drawing board and get back to work.”