Jermaine Brown Jr. was back in his natural element. Ball in hand and linebackers to juke.

In early September, at the onset of the 2019 college football season, the then true freshman was running the UAB scout team, adorned in a No. 87 jersey, and simulating Akron’s Kato Nelson, a dual-threat quarterback who was capable of giving fits to opposing defense.

The moment of clarity came for former head coach Bill Clark and running backs coach Hadley Brigham when the Mobile native showcased his skill in eluding defenders again and again and again.

“It was wild how it all came together,” Brown said. “I was running scout team one week and I was shaking the whole defense. They were like, “He’s a running back, let’s get him in the backfield.”

Brown was immediately inserted into the lineup the next week, working as the second option for four consecutive seasons behind two of UAB’s all-time greats, and is now on the precipice of setting the program record for all-purpose yardage as the Blazers return from the bye week to host Florida Atlantic, Saturday, Nov. 4, at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium.

“I’ve got to give glory to God, he blessed me with a special talent,” Brown said. “I appreciate all the coaches and my teammates believing in me over the years. I want to show that to the world.”

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Following Brown’s scout-team performance, he hit the field the next two weeks against South Alabama and Rice, rushing nine times for only 26 yards, but broke out the next two games — at UTSA and home against Old Dominion — with a combined 29 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown.

He finished his inaugural season on the Southside with 446 yards and a pair of scores and instantly became the counter-punch to both UAB all-time leading rusher Spencer Brown and UAB single-season leading rusher DeWayne McBride.

“It wasn’t just me, Coach (Bill) Clark was involved in this decision as well,” Brigham said. “I saw a tackle escaper. That’s one of the number one qualities I look for in a running back. He had that and, at that time, we lacked that in the running back room. Spencer was a little banged up and we didn’t have a lot of dynamic guys in the room.”

During his five-year career, made possible by utilizing his COVID-19 waiver, Brown has rushed for 2,685 yards and 27 touchdowns while hauling in 80 receptions for 644 yards. Including his 1,073 yards of kick return production, the senior has accumulated 4,402 all-purpose yardage and is currently 56 yards away from second place and 268 yards shy of setting the program’s all-time record in that category.

Not only is Brown only a game or two from setting such a lofty record, but he is also fifth in career rushing yards and could pass both Joe Webb (2,774 yards) and Pat Green (2,817 yards) for third place later this season. He is also tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns and is eight away from tying Pat Green (35), nine from McBride (36) and 14 from Brown (41).

“It’s extremely impressive but Skull has accumulated yards through receiving and kickoff returns and that was not something Debo (DeWayne McBride) or Spencer did,” Brigham said. “He got to learn a lot from those two guys, as far as how to manage yourself as the season starts to wear you down. He was a great sidekick for both of those guys in their time and now it’s his time.”

McBride led the nation in rushing last season, despite opting to forego UAB’s Bahamas Bowl appearance, and Brown stepped up on the national stage to lead the Blazers to victory with 24 carries for 116 yards and a pair of scores. He seemingly fumbled the game away in the second half but put UAB ahead late in the fourth quarter to grant himself a reprieve and the game’s MVP award.

His current head coach was in attendance that day and was not the least bit surprised by Brown’s resiliency, especially after speaking with former offensive coordinator and then UAB interim head coach Bryant Vincent, who now serves as offensive coordinator for New Mexico.

“It’s a part of what every coach dreams of the developmental arc,” UAB head coach Trent Dilfer said. “Especially at this level, we have to go find players that have high ceilings they have not yet tapped into them. You have to trust their work ethic, their grit and their coachability. I remember when I sat down with BV, he said, “This kid is going to make your job so much easier because he’s always trying to get better.” That’s what Skull’s legacy will be, not just the yards.”

Brown entered the spring as one of only a handful of seniors and his leadership has steadied the ship during rough waters. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury near the end of spring practice, requiring surgery, and was unable to return to full contact until late July.

“We only have an X amount of seniors and they have been rocks,” Dilfer said. “They bought in since Day 1 and haven’t flinched when things haven’t gone as expected. Skull has led that charge, even one step more in having dealt with the frustration of his injury.”

Considering the lingering effects of his injury, Brown formed a practice plan with Brigham where rest was a premium in best preparing his body for the rigors of a full game.

“We developed an extreme level of trust in each other,” Brigham said. “If I think it’s in his best interest, then he believes me. But if he feels differently, he knows he has the leeway to, not snap at me, but to state his case.”

With Brigham’s blessing, Brown brought his plan to Dilfer, who agreed without hesitation.

“When he proposed that to me, I was like, “Duh,” Dilfer said. “I totally trust Skull. Whatever you two (Brigham) think is best, so he plays better on Saturday, I’m in.”

Although Brown only rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns in the first four games of the season, along with 11 catches for 81 yards, the implantation of his strategy has paid off in the last four weeks with 304 rushing yards and six touchdowns and 15 receptions for 190 yards.

With a record in his sights and the Blazers needing to win their last four games to attain bowl eligibility, Brown has reached his final form heading into the backstretch of not only the season but his career.

“He’s wired differently than most, competitively, in terms of just his will and his refusal to be denied,” Brigham said. “If he had not had the injury at the end of spring, which required surgery, I think he would have started the season stronger than he did. Now he’s full force. His production has amped up over the last couple of weeks and this Saturday you’ll see the best version of Skull.”