Virginia also showed interest in Brown. After Brown gave a verbal commitment to attend Maryland in April 2008, the Pittsburgh and Penn State coaching staffs said they would be interested if he reopened his recruitment. College career Brown enrolled at the University of Maryland, and served a redshirt season in 2009. In 2010, he saw action in four plays against Morgan State. On his first snap, he gained 12 yards on an option run, and lowered his shoulder into two opposing tacklers. He suffered a broken collarbone on the run, but remained in the game for three more plays. The injury ended his season. During his convalescence, head coach Ralph Friedgen said, "I just told him he has to hang in there, he has to sit in the meetings and learn as much as you can. That's an area where he was coming on. I still think he's got the potential to be a very, very good quarterback. He's very mobile and he has a strong arm and [he is] a smart guy. He's just further behind because of his high school development." During the season, fellow redshirt sophomore Danny O'Brien captured the starting position and finished with ACC Rookie of the Year honors. Friedgen was fired after the season and replaced by Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall, who selected Gary Crowton as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During the spring, Edsall said "C. J. Brown is putting pressure on Danny [O'Brien]. C.J. Brown is playing very well. I think we're in a good situation." O'Brien entered the 2011 season as the established starter at quarterback, but the staff hoped to use Brown because of his mobility and athleticism. Brown recorded a 4.42-second 40-yard dash. Wide receiver Kevin Dorsey said, "You watched today and you watched him outrunning linebackers. Before today, he outran a safety, which seems crazy. Crazy athletic. Both [quarterbacks] are definitely going to play." Against No. 12 Georgia Tech, O'Brien struggled, completing one pass on six attempts and throwing an interception. Brown came off the bench to relieve O'Brien, and while he also struggled passing, going 4-for-17 for 36 yards and an interception, he rushed for 124 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown off of a zone-option read. After the game, he said, "I know the passing game in and out, just like I'm supposed to ... It might not have showed today, but I knew I was