Arizona is bringing a familiar face to Big 12 Media Days, and one of the most important players on the roster. Senior linebacker Taye Brown heads to Frisco, Texas, as one of seven Wildcats set to join coach Brent Brennan at the league’s annual event July 7-8.
Brown has already put together a strong 2025 season, finishing with 93 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. For Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales, those numbers are only the start of what could be a major leap.
“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.”
That kind of praise fits the way Brown has settled into his role in Tucson. The Chandler native is entering his fourth season with Arizona and has become a steady presence not just in the linebacker room, but across the defense. He’s also still getting pushed by Gonzales, who Brown said keeps 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.”
Brown’s consistency has helped Arizona keep flexibility on defense, especially with the trust he’s built with linebackers coach Josh Bringuel. That trust allows the Wildcats to use packages 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.”
What stands out to the coaches, though, is that Brown hasn’t carried himself like a veteran who has seen it all. Bringuel pointed to the way Brown still approaches the basics, even while helping younger players along.
“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.”
Brown’s role has already earned national recognition. He was named to Phil Steele Magazine’s second-team All-Big 12, and Arizona will need that level of production again if it wants to match last season’s success. If Brown keeps climbing statistically, the Wildcats could put themselves in the mix for the Big 12 championship.
His résumé already says plenty. Brown has started 24 games for Arizona, the most of any returning defensive player, and his 38 games played trails only Noah Fifita’s 40 on the roster. He also enters 2027 with 18 consecutive starts at linebacker.