Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Beniquez Brown celebrates after a turnover against the Kentucky Wildcats. Brown made 200 tackles over three seasons. Credit: MATT BUSH/USA TODAY

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Green Bay — Two seasons as the second leading tackler for one of the best teams in college football's best conference didn't get Mississippi State's Beniquez Brown drafted.

Disappointed? Yes. Hurt? Sure. Crushed? Think again.

"This just adds fuel to the fire," said Brown, one of 21 rookie free agents who said they've agreed to join the Green Bay Packers. "I'm ready to work and just show I'm something they missed out on."

Brown played almost every down the past two seasons on Bulldog teams that finished 19-7 and had five defensive players drafted.

As the weak-side linebacker in a 4-3 defense, Brown made 200 tackles and a flock of big plays in three seasons before declaring for the draft a year early.

If his production in the Southeastern Conference carries over to the NFL, Brown could be a factor at inside linebacker. The Packers remain as unsettled there as at any position.

"We saw the depth chart so far at inside linebacker and felt a need there," Brown said. "If I'm the best player, they're going to play me."

Of the Packers' 21 free agents and seven draft choices, Brown strangely is the only one from the SEC. He wouldn't say having played in that conference gives him an advantage now.

"I just know in the SEC every week you're going to get some of the best running backs and some of the biggest offensive linemen, and they're going to try to punish you," Brown said. "You get used to stopping the run in the A gaps. Stopping the run is one thing I prided myself on."

During his three seasons, he recalled bruising battles waged against Jeremy Hill and Leonard Fournette of Louisiana State and T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry of Alabama.

"I played against the best of the best," Brown said. "If you're not physical you're not going to last long."

In the passing game, Brown was resourceful enough to record six sacks, three interceptions and four passes defensed.

"I prided myself on not coming off the field and being able to guard tight ends," he said. "I'm an ideal three-down linebacker."

Brown also contributed mightily on special teams, blocking both a punt and field goal last season.

On Nov. 21, the Bulldogs led Arkansas, 51-50, with 46 seconds left when the Razorbacks' Cole Hedlund stepped into a field-goal attempt from 29 yards.

Subbing in at the last moment, Brown beat his man cleanly to the inside and with his right palm blocked the kick to preserve the victory.

"He doesn't have quite as much size as (Blake) Martinez or (Jake) Ryan," an AFC scout said. "He's definitely going to have to make his mark on (special) teams. He needs to be Larry Izzo, who used to play at New England.

"If he can, and also impress with his ability to pick things up with his knowledge of the game, coaches like that and latch on to that."

Brown, a shade under 6 feet 1 inch, weighed 229 at the combine in late February but was up to 236 at pro day two weeks later in Starkville. He's 238 now, clearly looking for bulk to hold up in a 3-4 defense.

Several personnel people said Brown made a mistake renouncing his final season of eligibility.

"I'm an only child," Brown said. "Talking to my mom, it was the best decision for me and for her. Even though I didn't get drafted, I still feel like I'm in a great place right now."

In interviews with personnel people from five teams, there was concern about Brown's ability to play the run at his size as well as his ability to range sideline to sideline and cover effectively given his modest 4.71-second speed.

"He doesn't have anything special," an AFC scout said. "He's kind of in that old-school tweener role when it was a bad word."

Brown has heard the chatter for months, and harbors no ill will.

"No, not at all," he said good-naturedly. "I knew going into the draft process they'd be questioning my speed.

"I can't wait to get out there and prove 'em wrong."