Browder chose ETSU over SEC program

Sam Browder had an opportunity to play football in the Southeastern Conference, but the pull to come home and be with family was just too strong. East Tennessee State coach Will Healy called the Memphis transfer coming to the Bucs a big, big win after a lot was working against them. The biggest thing was Browder had the opportunity to play for Arkansas where Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield had been hired as the Razorbacks' new coach. On the other hand, playing at ETSU meant coming home for the Kingsport native and the chance to play alongside older brother, Charlie, a tight end for the Bucs. "I know it weighed heavily on him, a staff he was familiar with," Healy said. "He trusts those guys. But, it was a really important position for us. It was one of those you felt like you had a shot because of the relationship with him and his family. His brother coming back for his last year, we felt we had a shot to pull the upset." Healy explained Browder had a chance to get a significant amount of money at other SEC school. He describes the 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive tackle as strong, athletic and smart. The coach also sold the younger Browder on his development as a player. "He's got God-given size," Healy said. "He's got good genes. When you see Charlie, Sam and Jack, who plays basketball at Carson-Newman, they've got good bloodlines, a really athletic family." Playing at tackle will give Browder the chance to line up alongside the 6-foot-7, 255-pound Charlie. Healy joked he'd love to have Jack, the leading scorer and rebounder at Carson-Newman, on the football team as well as a goal-line, fade receiver. "You'll see plenty of brotherly love," Healy said. "There will be plenty of time the 'Browder Bash Brothers' will be lined up beside each other." As happy as the coaching staff was to sign Sam, they were equally thrilled that Charlie received another year of eligibility. It was huge that he decided to stay at ETSU, one of the top-ranked returning tight ends at the FCS level. "For him not even bat an eye and stay, then help recruit his brother, there's a commitment with the Browders that we will forever be indebted," Healy said. When Sam looked at how players were developed at ETSU, he had to look no further than Charlie who had previously been at Central Florida and Tennessee. Charlie was able to become a complete player with the Bucs. Charlie caught 17 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the 2025 season, but also was a solid blocker at tight end and on the special teams unit for extra points and field goals. One reason that Charlie never considered other offers was his tight ends coach Brian Blackmon got promoted to offensive coordinator. "I knew how close the relationship was between Charlie and Coach Blackmon," Healy said. "I knew he'd feel good about that. He wasn't going to have to learn a lot of new things, but could take the next step as a player. There's a lot of familiarity where the play calls and assignments are the same." Even players who aren't in the portal are contacted by other teams. Healy knew teams were calling Charlie Browder, but he never wavered. Healy wasn't surprised as he's complimentary of Charlie for both his commitment on and off the field. "He's unbelievably reliable. He's a massive target with a huge catch radius," Healy said. "He had 26 targets last year and 25 receptions. Incredible amounts of production and efficiency, and really good on the line of scrimmage. He's become a complete player."