2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Noel Brouse III, OL, California University (PA)

• Name: Noel Brouse III
• Position: OL
• College: University of California-Pennsylvania
• Height: 6′ 6″
• Weight:310 lbs
• Twitter: @n3brouse
• Instagram: @n3brouse

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

When I was five years old my father took me to the North Parkland flag football field and asked me if I wanted to play football. After observing the practice from afar by the fence, I decided the next day that I wanted to play football, and the rest was history from there. After competing with nearly 60 different kids, I earned a starting position on both sides of the ball and kept that drive since then. That was just one piece of my story of why I have loved football ever since, plus I also simply enjoyed playing football as this was a physical sport where I could leave all of my frustrations out on the field.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I have several favorite moments from my football life. The first major memory that I had was an accumulation of my senior season at Parkland High School. During this season, our team made a deep run in the PIAA Pennsylvania State playoffs and ended up beating Lasalle College in a walk-off overtime touchdown. This was the first time our high school had beaten a Philadelphia Catholic school to reach the semifinals of the state playoffs. Also, during this season, I had recorded two interceptions while playing defensive tackle, where I returned one for a touchdown. The next favorite moment that I had from my football life was from this past season when our team faced #23 ranked Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) on the road. During our rival game in the Coal Bowl, our team was faced with much adversity and overcame a 10-point deficit with 5 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to beat IUP 38-34. This was an unbelievable experience that’ll never forget.

What sets you apart from other offensive linemen?

The first thing that differentiates me from other offensive linemen would be my on-the-field knowledge of different defensive techniques and schemes that I would recognize and adjust to block up each called play successfully. This in part comes from my prior experience initially being a defensive tackle/end at the University of Connecticut during my first two years of collegiate football. Due to my understanding of why certain defensive techniques and schemes are used in certain situations, I have my own toolbox of certain techniques as an offensive lineman that work to counter certain defensive techniques and schemes. For instance, if I recognize a defensive tackle in a 3 technique that is two-gapping while our offensive play call is a gap scheme run. I understand that to successfully block the two-gapped defensive tackle, I must stay low and hit the defensive lineman’s hip which will naturally place that player in one gap and take me on the correct path to climb to the backside linebacker. Additionally, I find that my overall intelligence also helps differentiate me from other offensive linemen as I had accumulated a 4.0 GPA throughout my master’s courses.An additional factor that differentiates me from other offensive linemen is the fact that I find myself being a very athletic and mobile lineman. Ever since I began playing football at five years old, I also began playing basketball even earlier and have continued to play competitive basketball up to the high school level and even played recreational basketball at the collegiate level in the offseason of the football season. I find I’m very athletic with great footwork, hand-eye coordination, and great overall aerobic endurance for my size. This all in part is due to my great training habits of pushing myself to my limits while I train for football with the addition of natural training occurring from playing basketball throughout my life. Another thing that I find that differentiates me from other offensive linemen is my humbling experience being part of a Division II institution. I learned that I must work twice as hard as other offensive linemen to display my worth and value. With that in mind, I’ve come to learn that to be successful, it is earned and not given. So, by having that attitude throughout my time at California University of Pennsylvania, I find that I must work my absolute hardest and push my body to its limits to become the best overall football player I can become. I understand that when my alarm goes off early in the morning it may be easy to click snooze and continue to sleep in. But for me, I have the mindset that I set that alarm for a reason and that to be the best I must wake up early and push myself to achieve my dreams and aspirations.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

The type of energy that I bring to the football field includes positive energy only. This could range from cheering on offensive teammates at practice while I’m not in during a certain play or drill, to also encouraging my defensive teammates while they’re out on the field during the game. At the end of the day the goal in football is to win, so from my point of view is that if I can make just a slight difference in motivating my teammates to play their best, this will help the team overall and make our team more successful. I also find myself being a mentor for younger guys as well and being a leader that leads through action rather than just words, as actions speak much louder than words.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

That one player would be Tom Brady. Since I remember watching professional football at a young age, the first player that I idolized was Tom Brady and I find that this would be an opportunity of a lifetime to meet my favorite athlete of all time as well. Additionally, since I’ve learned of Tom Brady’s challenges of being the last on the depth chart at Michigan to then becoming an all-time great champion winning 7 Super Bowl rings, this would be a time where I can ask questions about how Tom Brady overcame that adversity during a pivotal point in his collegiate career.

How do you prepare for games?

The first thing I do when it comes to preparing for games is by analyzing the player personnel that I will be going against. I typically begin by analyzing defensive ends and defensive tackles whom I will be going against and gradually move to other positions such as linebackers, safeties, and corners to determine their techniques and tendencies. After I watch over the player tendencies I try to determine if there’s a correlation between pre-snap reads and what follows up as each snap is made. For instance, a shift at the corner position or in the secondary may indicate a corner fire blitz off the edge which may result in their being a line stunt amongst the defensive linemen. Once I finish up analyzing the player personnel and each of their tendencies, I then analyze the defensive schemes from a bigger picture and visualize myself using the correct techniques that should be made during specifically called plays. For instance, I would visualize myself using the correct footwork during each defensive look given and visualize who I should block during the specifically called plays.

What should we know about Noel Brouse the person?

You all should know that I’m an extremely competitive person who strives to win in everything I do. That may range from winning board games to competing on the athletic field. I find that I must be the best at whatever task is given to me. I also would like to share that I’m an extremely hard-working person as well who is constantly working to become the best self I could become. If that means staying an extra 30 minutes after practice to work on some pass sets, then I will certainly do that to improve on my craft. This also applies off the field as well when it comes to my academics. I have the attitude of why be satisfied by just passing a class or getting an A-, I find that I must work to do even better and earn the highest possible grade such as an A. Another thing that I would like you all to know about me is that I’m a caring and selfless individual who enjoys making others happy. I find that this is a true judgment of how others view me.Also, some of my favorite hobbies include skiing, fishing, biking, kayaking, hiking, and playing basketball. I also love spending time at the beach whether that be riding some waves or laying out on the beach. However, I do enjoy watching movies and television shows as well.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

I personally don’t have a favorite offensive scheme, as I’m the type of individual who simply enjoys moving an individual from one point to another and will do what is told by my coaches. However, schematically speaking, I do enjoy running and watching the spread offensive scheme, as I find that this type of offensive scheme is most likely to result in the fastest points of production being made. Also, with our generation of athletes becoming faster, I find that this is a way to maximize the athleticism of the entire offense to get everyone moving in space.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I find that I handle challenges in football and in life well. With football teaching me many life lessons about overcoming adversity throughout my life, I personally feel that I have carried that mindset with me into my life regularly. Just like in a football game, nothing ever goes as perfectly as planned in the game plan as in life. So just when things might not be going my way, I must put the past beside and move on to the next play or moment. That’s the same mindset when it comes to life. However, in life rather than being reactive, I must be proactive and intentional in what I do.

What would a team get in a player like you?

The team would be getting a hardworking, determined, selfless, and a leader both on and off the field. I find that my hardworking nature is a habit that has been built throughout my life and would love to display this trait to the next team who would have me on their roster. Next regarding my determination, I’m a highly disciplined individual who loves playing this game and will do whatever it takes to make my mark known positively. Additionally, when it comes to the trait of myself being selfless, I find that my practice of putting the greater good of the team in front of me is constantly on display, especially as an offensive lineman. The next thing that a team would be getting in a player like me is by being both a leader on and off the field. With myself being a mentor to our younger players, I’m constantly looking to advise younger players regarding what techniques work effectively and what defensive tendencies occur from certain defensive fronts and looks. Additionally, I find myself being in a leadership position by doing things the right way all the time and not taking shortcuts. This occurs on the football field, in the weight room, and everyday tasks. As a result, I find that this presence is contagious in building a great team environment that will certainly help build a better work culture for the next team I will be on.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I’m looking forward to avenging what was taken from us this past season in not making the playoffs this past year and not winning a conference championship as well. With our team being 9-1 and not making the playoffs, this was heartbreaking for my teammates and me, and I want to avenge our past season for our current and past teammates. This was a very sad moment for me that I will never forget, and I will strive to give my best in every play to avoid this feeling again.

If there was a billboard with 5 of your traits on it which 5 traits would be up there?

These five traits would include being competitive, tough, strong work ethic, high intelligence, and reliable.