2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Brandon Barbee, DB, Southeastern Louisiana

• Name: Brandon Barbee
• Position: Defensive Back
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 195 lbs
• School: Southeastern Louisiana University (previously Morehead State)
• Level: Division I FCS – Southland Conference
• Twitter: barbee_24
• Instagram: barbee_24

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

Major: Business Administration 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Definitely my technique – staying low and constantly moving my eyes. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

Typically I play at corner but I can be moved to nickel when needed. On defense we mainly run a 4-2-5 with a heavy defensive back structure. I would prefer to be in a system where I am always covering someone (man over zone).

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

James Robinson, RB, Illinois State 

Dai’Jean Dixon, WR, Nicholls State 

Taylor Grimes, WR, Incarnate Word

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Zy Alexander, he was a freshman All-American last year.

What makes you different from others at your position? 

My football IQ and once again the technique. I’m looking for the down and distance, where the sticks are, formations, concepts, etc. Awareness of what the opposing offense is doing is especially important to me. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

In high school, I tore my ACL freshman year and missed my sophomore year as a result. In junior year I tore my ACL again so I didn’t really play until senior year. It messed up the recruiting process. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

Basketball without a doubt. I played point guard and shooting guard in high school. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

I’m most proud of sticking through with football after the second ACL tear and following surgery. My whole ideology was “why not me?” 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

My second interception against Valparaiso. I had a pick-six early in the game and my second pick was the walk-off. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

Favorite defensive back: Darrelle Revis 

My dad is a diehard Cleveland Browns fan. 

What gets you “pumped up” before a game?

I always listen to music which infuses me with energy. The juices really start flowing when I come out of the locker room onto the field for warmups. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?

I cannot be beat at Madden – I know all the tricks, schemes, and everything else 

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?

I play football because I want to take care of my family. I always want more and want the best for them. My friends are also added motivation, they had more talent at one point but can’t play for one reason or another. 

What do you want NFL teams to know about you? 

I am a hard worker every day and I always want to be the best. I pride myself in never making the same mistake twice. I can’t fall for the same move again.

Other notes: 

I originally played WR my freshman year. I also played quarterback in my junior year before the second ACL tear. It got to a point where I had to give up basketball after the injuries, since I was doing that for a while alongside football. Transferred for my senior year because I didn’t want to play quarterback again. That’s when I started my career as a defensive back. Committed to Morehead State and ended up being there for three years. A lot of my offers were from the Pioneer league, who don’t offer full scholarships for football. I put my name in the transfer portal after the delayed COVID season because I didn’t want to pay as much. I wasn’t playing at SLU as much as I would’ve hoped last fall due to more injuries. Now it’s my last year and I’m hoping to be fully healthy. If I can stay that way, I hope to be an All-American again.