2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Brandon Brooks, CB, University of Regina (Canada)

• Name: Brandon Brooks
• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 192
• Position: Corner
• College: University of Regina (Canada)
• Twitter: @thatkid_brooks

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• I’m from San Diego California. It’s known as place where people go to vacation, It is also home to 4 Heisman Trophy winners. Something people don’t always see is while San Diego is known for great weather and beaches, the entire city isn’t a fairytale. Just like many other cities, there are many neighborhoods/communities struggling and fighting to change life from what it’s always been.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• I believe my answer depends on the time of the year. By that I mean (In season, Off season.) The order changes. But in general, 

  Practice- You are physically working at getting better at your craft. Learning from the coaches, working on technique, mastering alignment & assignment.

Strength and Conditioning- Physically getting your body to perform the task at hand. If you are bigger, faster, stronger you’re able to do different things on the field. Also prevents injury and gives you some advantage over your opponent. 

Film Study- Personally this is just as important as practice during the season or spring ball. Watching film gives you the answers to the test (game day.) You are getting mentally prepared, And you can see what needs to be corrected. During practice you may not be able to see or feel the adjustments or corrections that need to be made. 

What do you worry about, and why?

• I try not to worry too often, rather trust everything is going to work how it should and just trust in God’s plan for whatever the situation may be.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• I feel like in high school I failed myself by being ok with being just good enough. And due to that I didn’t have the offers I sought after. The way I reacted was by me changing my bad habits and adopt better ones. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• They definitely would say it’s my determination and how I’m able to take control of any situation and set an example.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Probably would have to be Michael Gallup.

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

• If I couldn’t physically play football, my career route would be coaching college football. Or start my own physical therapy center.

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

• Personally I would clean my desk first. That’s where the you do your work/organize/plan , if that’s a mess nothing gets done.

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• While helping three strangers is a heroic act, I would lose sleep knowing I chose strangers over family. For that reason I would 10/10 choose a family member.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• I probably would have to be “Boobie Miles” from Friday night lights. Reason being, in the game he injured his knee and forever changed his life, his coach told him “you’re good you’ve done enough.” I would have listened and made sure the backups were ready to go in. Everything would have been different. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• I believe it was when I planned to transfer from Nevada. At the beginning of the 2017 season I was made aware that athletes could play up to four games and still retain a redshirt. Unfortunately that ended up not being true. I played one snap vs Washington state that season. After the year I planned to transfer, I found out from the NCAA that not only did that one play cost me an entire year of eligibility, but if I wanted to transfer I would have to sit out the 2018 season and lose a year of eligibility. Due to me being a “4-2-4-4 Transfer” I was forced to have to sit at every division (D1 FBS & FCS, and D2.) Leaving me with only one year of eligibility after the sit out year. Every day, I was getting calls from coaches, and reeling in offers, only to find out from the schools compliance offices that I wouldn’t be eligible. Where most people would have given up, I knew that wasn’t the end of the road for me. I did my research, and tried to find ways around this. I remained patient, stayed calm, and ultimately was blessed with an opportunity to play north of the border in Regina Saskatchewan. I went through an appeal process to nullify the 2017 season in order to make me immediately eligible. I won my appeal, and made the decision that it was best for my academic and football career that I move to Canada. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• My sophomore year of college at Riverside city college, I dropped an easy interception… We ended up winning the game by like 30 but I still felt terrible.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• This past year we had a game go down to the wire. Came down to a field goal, we initially missed the kick for the win. A penalty was called and we got to re-kick. But this time it went in, walk off win at home.

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Grinding All my Life – Nipsey Hussle

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• From a physical standpoint, I am a tall “rangey” corner with long arms, I can run with receivers, and I am most comfortable in press coverage. Seems to be what the league is transitioning to. Which works in my favor. 

From a non physical standpoint, I believe it’s my self determination/motivation. I live by the motto “if you want something bad enough you’ll make a way.”

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• Without a question it would be my Grandmother. She died at 49, she was the glue to our family, and after her passing, life took a turn. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• “Primetimes”

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• San Diego Native Tony Jefferson

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• To be honest, you need both, but before demonstrating the power and authority that commands respect, the most effective leaders start by making a connection with people by being approachable, and personable. They start by being well-liked. I feel like if you are liked, it is easier to gain respect. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• Probably Aaron Hernandez, although he was charged for a terrible crime. I feel like a lot of the stuff he was going through was mental. I feel like he could have been fighting demons, which possibly could have been when led him to ultimately commit suicide. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• Personally, I hate losing. I’m very competitive, more than I love winning I hate losing. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• My mother. Single black mothers I view as superhero’s. They are able to do the unthinkable. My mother has been through a lot, from losing her mother at a younger age, to not being rich but always making sure my sister and I had everything we needed. She inadvertently taught me the grind, and that if you want something bad enough, you’ll make a way.