NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: C.J. Brewer, DT, Coastal Carolina University

C.J. Brewer
Coastal Carolina University defensive lineman C.J. Brewer recently sat down with Jonathan Joyce of NFL Draft Diamonds.

Student-Athlete Profile:

  • Name: C.J. Brewer
  • College: Coastal Carolina University
  • Position: DT
  • Height: 6’2”
  • Weight: 280 LBS.
  • Hometown: Bowdon, GA
  • Twitter: @cj_brewer

2019 Accolades & Statistics:

  • 2019 All-Sun Belt Third Team.
  • 2019 PFF All-Sun Belt Team Honorable Mention.
  • 2019 FBS Postseason Sun Belt All-Conference Third Team.
  • 2019 Phil Steele Sun Belt Conference All-Conference Third Team.
  • GP: 12
  • TACK: 54
  • TFL: 7.5
  • SACK: 3.0
  • PBU: 3
  • QBH: 7

Heading into the second season under Coach Chadwell, what are the expectations for this team in 2020?

Expectations for our team is to win the Sun Belt this year. We have a good bit of returners coming back on both sides of the ball. Our culture and chemistry are a lot better than in the past. We strive and work off of each other and love the growing pains, it’s part of life that you have to deal with. I know with this COVID-19 stuff that is going on we still have expectations and goals to meet. So we stay in contact every week to make sure each and every one is still training and working out.

You earned multiple postseason honors after a strong 2019 campaign. What are your individual goals and expectations?

Be First-Team All-Conference, get over 7.5 sacks, beat my total tackles from last year by 15, have 12 or more TFL, and most of all play my heart out each and every game.

What’s the best lesson any coach ever taught you?

Get comfortable being uncomfortable. What you want in life doesn’t come easy. You have to work for it and have faith.

Since you arrived on campus, what do you think you’ve improved on most both athletically and academically?

Athletically, getting more flexible and becoming a better leader on and off the field. Academically, understanding time management with setting time aside to make sure you do all of your work each week. Also, getting all my classes taken care of which helped me to graduate early and now getting my Master’s.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Very vocal and also a leader by example, doing the right thing on and off the field.

Would you say you’re more comfortable against the run or in the passing game?

More comfortable in the run game, but starting to love getting after the QB more and more now.

What’s your favorite way to take an opposing O-Lineman out of their game?

Playing physical and fast with him. By the 4th quarter, they are tired of getting manhandled and abused the whole game.

What are three traits a defensive lineman must possess in order to be successful?

Being able to read offensive linemen and formations, able to play in different schemes, and most importantly having a motor.

Who is the toughest player you’ve competed against during your collegiate career?

That would either be Robert Hunt from Louisiana or Dennis Stanley from South Carolina.

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

If your life was a book, what would the title be?

“The Contagious One.”

You also played basketball at Bowdon High School. Who is the best hooper on CCU team?

DeVante’ Jones or Ebrima Dibba.

Who is the best player in the NFL today?

Aaron Donald.

Is there a current or former NFL player you model your game after?

Quinnen Williams.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a freshman in High School?

To take care of my body as much as possible. Eat the right things, stretch in the mornings and at night. Wrestle in High School, it helps.

The university is about 20 minutes away from Myrtle Beach. Is that a trip you and the guys make often?

We make it a lot in the summertime, but during the season we don’t really go at all.

If I’m in Conway, where is the one place I have to eat?

Big D’s. It’s a soul food buffet.

Give me your pitch to an NFL GM. Why will C.J. Brewer be an asset to their organization?

Because C.J. Brewer will know the playbook in and out. He is a great teammate and great guy to be around, he wants to bring people along and push people to reach their full potential. You will have no off-field issues and most importantly, he is a great football player who looks to get better each and every day.

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