Malverne football star Josiah Brown is leaving Penn State, entering the transfer portal
Malverne's Josiah Brown signing his commitment to play football at Penn State on Dec. 20, 2023. Credit: James Escher
Former Malverne High School football star Josiah Brown has decided to leave Penn State and enter the transfer portal, he announced in a statement on X on Thursday evening.
The wide receiver, a redshirt freshman, was sidelined this season with an undisclosed injury. He did not play during the 2024 season as he recovered from the ACL, MCL and meniscus tears he suffered on Oct. 13, 2023, during his senior season at Malverne.
“I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to everyone within the Penn State community,” the statement read. “From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by genuine people who consistently supported my dreams and pushed me to be my best. My time in Happy Valley is something I’ll always be thankful for.
“I am forever grateful for my coaches and teammates. Through the ups and downs we stayed connected, competed and made memories that will last far beyond the field. The bonds we built mean more to me than words can explain and I’m grateful for every moment.
“After many heartfelt conversations with my family and putting my faith in God, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal.”
Brown did not return messages seeking comment.
Brown spent three years at Holy Trinity in Hicksville before transferring to Malverne to play his senior season in his hometown. Moments before the knee injury he suffered in 2023, Penn State coach James Franklin arrived at Malverne’s field via helicopter. Penn State fired Franklin in October after a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern dropped the team to a disappointing 3-3 record.
Brown had 529 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns in six games as a senior. He was New York’s second-ranked player in the class of 2024, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
Brown posted on X that he will have four years of eligibility left at his next school.
Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.
