2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Brandon Gielow, K, Davenport University

• Name: Brandon Gielow
• Position: Kicker
• College: Davenport University 
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 210
• Twitter: @Brandongielow1
• Instagram: @g.i.e.l.o.w

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2025 NFL Draft? 

What makes me a top Prospect is my ability to compartmentalize and thrive in any given situation. My work ethic and resilience paired with my mentality allows for me to be ready to perform in any conditions or environment.  This has been proven in my consistency with my stats as well as never missing a game winner or clutch kick in my career

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I am very proficient in my preparation as an athlete with my routines and disciplines as well as my capability to grow and learn from everyone around me. My ability to adapt is at an elite level. I am an exceptional leader who cares about the success of the team and those around me. Knowing that I have the opportunity to be one of the first Dominican players in the nfl I carry the weight of the country with me everytime I wake up. I am in a position to inspire millions and show the people in the D.R (Dominican Republic) including my family in Santo Domingo that anything is possible.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

I would donate to child welfare, I believe that everyone has a gift and a lot of children are dealt a bad hand and not able to capitalize and grow their gifts. Everyone deserves a chance. 

Who was your role model? 

My Abuela (Grandma) as well as my mom would be my role models , Living in the Dominican Republic their whole life, they have shown me time and time again the reward for believing in yourself and pouring into others. Both very selfless women who filled my cup although there were times where theirs was not full. The self belief my mother had to leave her family to pursue a dream of coming to America with nothing to her name  is immense and truly a trait that reflects the strength of my family’s lineage as well as the strength that had been passed to me to not only endure but pursue any dream in front of me 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Detroit Lions & Tampa Bay Buccaneers

From growing up in florida and seeing the bucs everywhere to playing college football in Michigan I fell in love with both teams. Detroit is known for the grit they show as well as having such a strong culture over the years. The standard Dan Campbell holds is one I truly admire which also attributed to their success this past season and moving forward. The chip on his shoulder as well as the one for the rest of the Detroit lions is cut from the same cloth that mine is. As for Tampa Bay I really became drawn to them when I kicked  with Matt Gay who was the kicker at the time and I saw how well they consistently run special teams and have great kickers over the years 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Christian Jones aka Cjones

C.Jones hands down has earned my respect the day I got to school. His work ethic and mentality about the game sets him apart. A true testament to his character was when we had an optional summer workout with the team and it was only him and I there. There are so many good things  I can say about him. He deserves any blessings that head his way. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Being stagnant or complacent 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My Favorite teacher ever is God. Throughout my whole life I’ve learned many things but the lessons he has instilled in me will forever be applied. There is not an area in my life that I have not grown from his lessons. He is the perfect teacher with the most perfect teachings

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

 There are a lot of moments in my life that could be on the list but one that always stands out was losing my dad at a young age. When I was in 5th grade going to 6th I lost my Dad due to leukemia. It was a long battle but all ended abruptly one night to which I had a real awakening of being the man in the house. I remember it so vividly; it happened on a Sunday night a day before his birthday and instead of slowing down I told my mom I wanted to go to school the next day. At a young age I set a permanent reminder to myself that no matter what happens in life it is up to me to keep moving forward for the sake of myself, my family, and those around me who are dependent on me. I went on to have all A’s and thrive in sports. That was truly the day everything changed. A permanent fire was placed in my soul that will never stop burning. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Chipotle hands down 

What is your favorite snack food? 

My Favorite snack food is probably plantains 

What is your degree in? 

Business Management 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Miyamoto musashi – Being the best at something requires a certain mindset and discipline that can be applied to many more areas than just the one. With miyamoto being one of the greatest Japanese swordsman of all time he puts his life on the line everytime he fights. I would want to ask him and learn how does he execute at the highest level with the highest stakes. As well as after reading his book on strategy (book of five rings) to also know what his mentality and mindset was if he ever felt that he was losing.

UFC fighter Charles Oliveira 

His story is unique starting in the Favelas in Brazil to becoming one of the best UFC fighters of all time. In a sport with such strategy and strict preparation I would want to talk to him about the moments where he was alone in his belief of himself and what he shifted his focus to in order to stay on the path. I would also love to hear about the moment the doctors told him he wouldn’t be able to walk as a child and everyone wrote him off, how did he overcome it and why does he continue to go with the same passion each day.

A Spartan 

Spartan culture is all about unity and protecting the man next to you, without everyone putting in the same effort and willingness in war they would lose. Similar to a football team and the end result of winning. I would love to dive in to the methods of unity and how they were able to have a culture built around everyone believing in the man next to them so deeply and to embody the true meaning of a chain is only as strong as the weakest link in order to apply it to the Lockeroom as a leader. 

What is your biggest weakness? 

If you were to ask the athletic training staff at Davenport University they would tell you it’s more about telling me to stop than to go. 

I often times find myself trying to find the balance between work and lifestyle. On one side, I become extremely adaptive and detailed in my work and will commit to the task at hand in pursuit of being the best. In doing so I will push life to the side because I truly have a passion for football and any other task. On the other side I have the discipline to train smart, enjoy life and know when enough is enough. However late nights, early mornings, and long hours are what I end up with more often than not