DEVILS LAKE — Firebirds center Casey Brown enters the 2026 season with three college offers.
Jamestown, Valley City State and Minnesota State Moorhead all offered him between May 21 and June 22. The Devils Lake senior enters this fall still uncommitted.
“It’s been pretty stressful, but it’s going all right,” Brown said. “We’ve got Moorhead and Jamestown; those two are good schools, I think. Just trying to process through it.”
Jamestown and Moorhead compete in NCAA Division II, while Valley City State is NAIA.
Brown anchored the offensive line for the 2025 Division AA state champions, allowing quarterback Mason Palmer and running back Bryar Exner to put up all-state first-team seasons. Brown was an all-state second-team selection himself. Palmer threw for 2,696 yards, while the team ran for 2,294, including 1,744 by Exner.
The season ended in Brown and the Firebirds hoisting the first state football trophy in school history.
“[Brown]’s valuable because of the fact that he’s a big boy, of course, but he does really well at snapping the ball,” Devils Lake head coach Todd Lambrecht said. “He’s pretty much played in every game that we’ve had since he was a sophomore. He’s the leader of our line. He gets guys in the right area. And he’s physical; I still think he could be a bit more, but that’s me as his coach, so high expectations, I guess. He’s just an all-around great guy. Great character. Leads by voice and example. He’s willing to go out of his way to help others out.”
Brown has attended multiple camps since the season ended. He’s also worked out in front of coaches from UND, North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
He’s been working on “quickness off the ball, trying to get quicker off the ball,” he said. “That’s my big focus.”
Brown is listed at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds entering his senior year. He’s become the type of lineman area colleges have an interest in.
“It’s great for him,” Lambrecht said. “And he’s worked hard for that. He has. And that’s the thing, is that he’s not afraid to work hard, and he shows it. He’s put the effort in, and good things will happen.”
Despite the state championship, none of last year’s seniors went on to play college football. The Devils Lake program has had recent graduates play at the college ranks, though, including Oliver Wirth (D-II Dakota State), Hudson Hodous (D-II Northern State), Drew Hofstad (D-II Moorhead) and Jack Kuntz (D-I UND).
Brown is still figuring out which college suits him best.
He wants to be sure he can make a long-term commitment to whichever program he chooses.
“Just somewhere where I can be for four or five years,” Brown said of what he’s looking for. “I don’t want to jump ship. When I make my decision, I want to find a home that’s gonna be there for four or five years.”
A verdict awaits Brown in the near future.
“I think I’m gonna go to some game days this fall and try to make a decision,” he said, “probably around Week 4 or 5 of the season.”
Devils Lake opens the season Friday at home against Kindred.