We all know how hard it is to be a freshman, but Najae Brown knew how to adapt.

Being a starting corner on a team that just won a conference championship the year before, he understood there was a big task that comes with a lot of responsibility— responsibility he was able to live up to as he was named Rookie of the Year for the NE-10 Conference.

Brown, out of Mount Vernon, N.Y., is the first player since AIC’s Justin Tervo in 2010 to win the award as a defensive player, and was one of four UNH Chargers to be all-conference rookies.

Brown jumped right into things this year taking on the best receivers the conference had to offer, getting nine pass breakups and three interceptions on a team that allowed little over 24 points per game this season.

This was the largest of his bundle of awards and honors that he took home this offseason, including all-conference team, and the all-rookie team being joined by tight end Michael Flacco, offensive lineman Zach Voytek and wide receiver Ty Headen.

The Chargers finished third in the conference this past season.