Bernell DorroughQ: Brandon, how do you feel about the fact that you’re “the big senior” on the team and that everyone seems to look up to you?
A: Being a senior, it has definitely been a big responsibility. I mean, I guess football is a pretty big sport on campus. I just want to enjoy my last year here.
Q: I hear that the coaches like the team to bond, so they stick you in pretty tight living space for a while. How has it been living with seven guys all crammed into a space meant for four people?
A: I mean, I’m used to it. In high school I went to a boarding school. But we’ve had a lot of good times. It has been a real good bonding week.
Q: You’ve played football for a long time, are there any pre-game rituals or superstitions that you believe bring you good luck?
A: I’m not really superstitious. Before kickoff though I will kneel down towards the goal post and say a quick prayer. I’ll ask God to keep us safe, and I’ll also ask that the best team win.
Q: Do you have any special foods that you try to eat a lot of, or foods that you try to avoid in order to keep in good shape?
A: Oh, not at all. I eat basically whatever I want. I try to work out hard in the off-season so that I’m able to do that.
Q: What positions have you played in your football career?
A: Early on I played running back and linebacker, but in high school I played offensive guard and defensive end. Now I’m playing linebacker again. I like linebacker most. I really like to hit people.
Q: Do you follow professional sports at all, and if so, what teams or players are your favorites?
A: I follow a lot of sports. That’s pretty much my life. I watch Sports Center every day. I watch it just whenever I can but I think I usually watch it late, probably at one or two in the morning. And I like pretty much any sports team near Cleveland, like the Indians, the Browns, and the Cavaliers.
Q: What do you plan to do after college?
A: I’m going to medical school. I think I want to take a year off though before going back to school. I’d like to do some type of service work. I’m looking for some type of volunteer or community based program.
Q: If you could go back and change anything about your previous years here, would you, and if so, what would you change?
A: I’ve enjoyed my experience here a lot. Overall, I’ve done really well and have had a lot of fun. I’ve also grown a lot as a person. So honestly, I’d say no. I wouldn’t do anything differently.
Q: You have one of the toughest majors at WU, biomedical engineering. How do you manage to balance all of your time?
A: It takes a lot of hard work. I really don’t get a lot of sleep during the school year. I usually am busy, go home, eat, study, and sleep. There’s no secret. It’s just a lot of hard work.
Q: Did you idolize anybody growing up?
A: My older brother, who is 25, and my father. I had great role models growing up at home. They are ordinary guys who just work hard so they are able to take care of their families.
Q: Can you tell me about your involvement in Harambee Christian Ministry?
A: I grew up in the church. I consider myself a spiritual person. I’ve also always been into gospel choir. My relationship with God has always been very important to me. It’s a really good ministry and it’s a good time. I’d just like to administer to those who don’t know Christ.
Q: Who’s your favorite boy band?
A: Hahaha…I don’t really like boy bands. My favorite R&B group is Jagged Edge and I like this guy called Musiq. I also like rap, but I don’t really have a favorite group.
Q: You’re an acknowledged good looking guy. Where do you like to take the ladies on dates?
A: I’m a very laid back Blockbuster-type of guy. I’m mostly a movies, dinner, laid back and chill type.
Q: If they were to create a senior superlative just for you, what would it be?
A: I think I would be “Most likely to have a beautiful wife.”
Q: What’s your favorite Disney movie?
A: It would definitely have to be Remember the Titans. Denzel Washington is such a great actor. And I guess, being a football player I could relate to it. Also, I know that playing football in high school can be really important to a city.
Q: I heard that you developed an unusual nickname your freshman year. Would you care to expand on that?
A: It’s “Obese.” My roommate the last two years gave it to me. I also do research at the medical school and I was working on a project working to understand what causes obesity. My roommate knew this so he started calling me “Obese.”
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: I don’t really read a lot, but there is a Christian book that I like to read called “More than a Carpenter” by Joshua McDow. And also back in high school I enjoyed reading “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.