By Natalie Miller, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
10/30/2026
Prophet Brown has a bucket list. But unlike most with a bucket list, the redshirt senior safety has checked off a good number of boxes.
This year, he was able to check off his dream travel destination twice: Panama.
“All of the music, the food, the vibes, I just love going back there,” Brown said happily.
It isn't just his dream travel destination, but also where his family is from. His father was born in Rio Abajo, Panama City, Panama, and most of his dad’s side of the family still lives there today. Visiting his family ignited a love for the country and its rich traditions.
“It’s a small country, but it is so important,” he explained. “Just like how reggaeton was invented there, they have so much influence that you don’t even think about.”
What do Prophet and reggaeton have in common? Both have roots in Panama and share an upbeat, feel-good spirit. Reggaeton blends hip-hop with Panamanian reggae to create its lively sound.
To Brown, Panama is more than good vibes and music; the culture is deeply rooted in who he is as a person and a player. He describes the culture as vibrant, bright and fun. For those that have met Brown, these are all adjectives one could use to describe him as well.
“I like to go out on the field and have fun, celebrate and dance. It’s all just a part of my love for the game,” he said, smiling ear-to-ear.
He attributes the way he plays to the influence his dad’s side of the family has on him. That vibrancy and genuine passion are just as contagious as his smile to his teammates.
“Prophet is elite. He really is a true leader,” said sophomore safety Alex Graham.
“His attitude and knowledge of the game are second to none, and he always leads by example for all of us,” freshman defensive end Luke Wafle excitedly added.
Being a veteran for the Trojans is a task he does not take lightly. His loyalty and leadership were both traits he is proud to have learned from former Trojan offensive lineman and current Los Angeles Rams center Justin Dedich.
Although they played on opposite sides of the ball, Brown claims Dedich was one of the greatest leaders he has ever encountered.
“On my first day on campus, he showed me around and took me to lunch in the village,” Brown recounted. “He does things the right way, and it pays off for him. I will always look up to him.”
His pride in his Panamanian heritage and the example set by his role models have shaped him into a resilient player who perseveres through adversity and always keeps a smile on his face.
Earlier this season, he checked off the next item on his list—one he had written as a freshman: score a touchdown for USC as a defensive player.
He didn’t just score a simple touchdown; he caught an interception for an electrifying 99-yard pick-six in the third quarter of USC’s victory over Rutgers, tying the school record for the longest interception return for a touchdown.
“That was a crazy moment! I hope to keep going and get a few more this year,” he said with a chuckle.
His positive mindset and athletic ability caught the eye of head coach Lincoln Riley early in his career.
“He has been through so much and was doubted early on in his career, but he has always persevered,” Riley said in a nationally televised interview after the Rutgers game. “He is the epitome of a Trojan and what it means to fight on. I am really proud of him.”
Despite being overlooked early on and suffering an injury that sidelined him for the 2025 season, Brown’s loyalty to the Trojans and confidence never wavered. He took the setback as an opportunity to learn and grow.
“I’ve watched this program change and transition into what it is today, and it allowed me to see what it takes to create a winning team,” he said. “That experience has been so great, and I have had so much fun learning throughout that process.”
Introduced to USC’s traditions by his older brother, Bishop, who was a USC fan before him, Brown has never imagined being anything but a Trojan.
“I know it's rare to see someone in one place for so long, but I'm grateful to be so in love with this team,” he said. “I hope to be remembered by my team as a caring guy who brought joy and positive energy to everyone in the facility, always with a smile on my face.”
The rest of Brown’s bucket list includes items like going to a Champions League soccer match and becoming a football analyst on television. He’s already building toward that goal. After earning a bachelor’s degree in communication in fall 2024 and a master’s in digital media management in spring 2026, Brown has become one of the faces of USC football in the media and an excellent representative of the program
For now, Brown’s football journey is far from over. He still has goals to chase in Cardinal and Gold, all while bringing the dynamic personality and contagious smile that have defined his time at USC. The world may have to wait a little longer to see that personality off the field, but his love for the game will shine through the screen, whether he’s wearing a helmet or a headset.
