O'Brien uses Cincinnati ties to land tight end

Coach Tom O’Brien’s background in Cincinnati has paid off in a commitment from Walnut Hills High tight end Benson Browne.

Walnut Hills coach George Kontsis said O’Brien, offensive coordinator Dana Bible, tight ends coach Jim Bridge and offensive line coach Don Horton all met with Browne at some point.

O’Brien, Bible and Horton all are from Cincinnati.

“That carried a lot of weight,” Kontsis said. “I think it does, and Benson thinks it does."

Browne is 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds and has been a basketball player his whole life. He has played football for just two seasons, but still received 10 scholarship offers, Kontsis said.

Although Browne didn’t catch many passes this season, Kontsis said he has excellent receiving skills.

“He’s about as athletic as you can be,” Kontsis said. “He’ll catch anything.”

Browne, who’s 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, also considered Louisville and Illinois. Kontsis said Browne was comfortable with N.C. State because of its pro-style offense that features the tight end and because Browne will be the only player at that position in this class.

N.C. State returns two-time All-ACC tight end George Bryan, who will be a senior in 2011, and Kontsis expects Browne to redshirt because he needs more time to learn the game after just two years of experience.

Ken Tysiac