NFL DraftProspect Interviews

NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Brodrick Mclean, LB, University of God’s Chosen

Brodrick Mclean may not fit the prototypical size for a linebacker, but you cannot deny his passion and heart. He plays the game with tons of intensity

Player Profile:

  • Brodrick Mclean
  • University of God’s Chosen
  • LB
  • 5’10”
  • 248lbs.
  • Laurinburg, NC
  • Twitter: @Godfather_Lamar

2018 Accolades & Statistics

  • GP: 2
  • GS: 2
  • Total Tackles: 28
  • Sacks: 1.0
  • FR: 1
  • PD: 2
  • TD: 1

What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?

D.O.C – The Formula.

How would your teammates describe you as both a player and person?

Very passionate and emotionally driven for the game. Energetic, heck of a sportsman as well as team player. Off the field a huge nerd, as country as they come, a very humorous guy, just loving seeing people smile.

How do you and your teammates make practice and film study fun?

We simply build chemistry, take it serious but know when to joke and when not to joke because at the end of the day our key objective is to progress and make history on and off the field.

When you are studying film, what is your main focus to gain a competitive advantage?

Studying their players best and worst tendencies, what players shine in. Which packages is their a weak link in the o-line, which RB is a scat back and which is a one cut player, which receiver (WR, RB, TE) are dominant and which is persistent in clutch drives. Learn the coaches strengths as well as their relationship with the players because that’s a huge impact on the game-play, but some overlook that asset. As for myself I mostly focus on my awareness and technique in the game. Am I reading consistently? Is feeling fatigue affecting my stance or tackling? Am I reacting fast enough? These are questions I constantly ask myself and whoever is willing to give me knowledge.

For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

The multiple second chances god gave me in life. Not only was I at a JUCO my senior because of my GPA, but the JUCO was shutdown early in the season allowing me to play in minor leagues and earning spots on two All-star Bowl games over seas being a starter in both and still qualifying for a collegiate senior Bowl game. Not only playing in one but two games at the event. Also on top of that I’m still at my university UNCP and projected to graduate this spring. Plus I was able to in a way serve our country but being part of homeland security and contracting through FEMA in the fall aiding in the natural disaster that had taken place. I will forever remember the experience.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?

Be able to have the mental stability of my father, he’s my hero and the base our family and just a huge positive impact and mentor in my life as well as others that comes in contact with him. He will forever and beyond be my main idol, guardian, protector, and role model in life. I still grin ear to ear so hard it hurts when I visit home and he’s awake and not resting. I could go on into a documentary on him if I was allowed to about my father of whom which was an athlete as well standing 6’4 245 and was an Aggie (NC A&T).

What do you value most from your Collegiate experience?

The deep-life lessons taught, the connections and networking I made along the way, being able to choose and pursue a major in the field I was passionate about since I was a toddler (computer science). Most importantly the humbleness and the level of appreciation college football taught me in my years of playing. I am forever so thankful for these coaches believing in me giving me the opportunity and the coaches/scouts on the next level even considering me despite my lack of resume.

Who is your personal hero?

My father as stated before and I’ll go into detail here. My father worked multiple jobs, pulled double and triple shifts, and came to numerous events in his work uniform; sometimes even on his break just to see me and my brothers extracurricular events (sports, band, and clubs). My father would go days without sleep to ensure our and my mother’s security financially and physically. Sometimes I remember my father would drive home on his breaks to just kiss us on the forehead and drive all the back to the job site. He instilled hard work, independence, limitless drive, scholar character, patience, pure intelligence as well as athleticism, and did his best to instill humbleness and gratitude in us with all the knowledge he had. I am very blessed to have him as a father and ironically I look exactly like my father and sound like him as well, even more ironic is that our birthdays are a day apart maybe just even hours.

Tell me something about yourself nobody would know.

I love hearing orchestra concerts and occasionally I peep at Anime.

How do you work on yourself?

Heavy critiquing, making sure I never allow myself to overlook or take anything for granted ever again from sports to people as individuals. Also I’m a huge believer in faith and prayer.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, whom would it be and why?

My gorgeous Woman of course, she’s one of the greatest gifts and blessings I received this past year. She’s very supportive (even though she knows not a lick about football) and admires the drive and ambition I have.

To heal hearts figuratively , emotionally, and physically most that know me personally away from the guy on the field knows I’m a huge kindhearted person, I volunteer when I can, I to Causes on campus when possible, and I was even able to visit the children’s hospital CRIT in Puebla, Mexico with the All-star TEAM USA I played with in the UNITY Bowl this past year and the feeling of signing autographs, taking pictures, giving kids candy, and just the smiles we received was priceless. When athletes are on that field I honestly did not believe myself that we are literally looked upon as heroes in people’s eyes regardless of their age or position in life. As we play them four quarters we have the power to make someones day, make someone feel special, and give people purpose and meaning.

If you could have any superpower, what power would it be and why?

What would constitute a perfect day for you?

Waking up to my favorite breakfast with Ron Isley playing on the speakers, my daily retained earnings of my businesses showing deposit notifications on my phone buzzing on my night stand, weather at 70 degrees no hassles no payment notices no stress. School is out, and I’m being prepared by the NFL greats to suit up for the super bowl. When I arrive to the stadium I kiss my wife, my babies, dapped up my father, play fight with my brothers, and head to the tunnel. As I get the end of the tunnel fireworks blazing, chalky smoke, and as they call out the starters and when they get to my name and I run out my grandmother (rest in paradise my Queen) is at the end awaiting my hug before I step on the gridiron and win that ring.

Who inspired you as a young athlete?

Ray Lewis, Jamie Coleman, Danny Trevathan, Roy Jones Jr,, Nate Robinson, London Fletcher, Walter “sweetness” Payton, Darrelle Revis, and Bobby Wagner.

What are the positive attributes that you bring to a professional football team?

Great and excellent character as well as attitude. I drive to bring the best out of everyone keeping the positive motivational vibe throughout the entire team. I have plenty of heart and been raised that quitting and “I can’t,” is not an option. I love competition, I love challenges, and I love taking on tasks out of my potential. I just love to get better.

Tell me about a time where you overcame a challenge.

In my junior year in high school I fractured my hand to the point I needed surgery and was in a cast for a month. Sadly it was my dominant hand and I was struggling in classes, couldn’t lift, go outside and participate in my usual activities. Eventually when the cast came off I had to learn how to write again, rebuild muscles and strength, get in shape, and gain back my confidence as well as skill on the field. I faced a lot of adversity during that time away from football and my injury in which I thank god today for my will power because I was told everything but positive things about my football career and educational career post my injury.

What one skill would you like to improve on? What’s your plan for doing so?

Always aim to prove my technique and speed being undersized. It will always be an challenge for me at linebacker. So I have to aim not only to achieve the requirements of my position and what it takes to make it to the next level, but also stand out in anyway possible.

Give me your pitch to an NFL GM on why you should be a part of their organization, in 15 words or less

You’re investing in a player that’s destined to leave a mark that will endure forever.

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