Virginia senior defensive lineman Andrew Brown (Chesapeake, Va.) was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday’s fifth round of the National Football Draft. Brown was the 158th overall pick and the first defensive lineman drafted out of Virginia since Eli Harold was taken by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round, 79th overall, in 2015.
Brown is the first Cavalier drafted by the Bengals since 2006 when Ahmad Brooks was taken in the third round of the supplemental draft. Brown is the third Cavalier all-time to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.
During his senior season, Brown had 46 tackles including 10.5 tackles for loss. He posted 3.5 quarterback sacks and forced one fumble. He had a career-high eight tackles in UVA’s win against Georgia Tech that was the team’s sixth win of the season and made the Cavaliers bowl eligible. As a junior in 2016, Brown posted a team-best 13 tackles for loss and was second on the team with six quarterback sacks. He finished his career with 94 career tackles, 10.5 career sacks and 26.5 career tackles for loss. Brown played in the 2018 Senior Bowl and took part in the 2018 NFL Combine.
Transcript: Andrew Brown
What has this day been like for you?
“It’s been a very surreal day; it’s crazy. I can’t even put the words together.”
Did it go like you thought it would, or has this process been a surprise?
“I would say everything has been a surprise because I didn’t want to expect anything. I was just taking in everything as it was coming in.”
Do you think your Senior Bowl performance helped your draft stock?
“Yes sir. Most definitely.”
Did you take the Senior Bowl as an opportunity to shine?
“My whole mindset going into that week was to show everybody that the five-star Andrew Brown didn’t go anywhere; I have always been here.”
Is there anyone in the NFL that you model your game after?
“I have always modeled myself after (Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle) Aaron Donald. Just watching him play with his tenacity and aggressiveness on every snap, I just wanted to be like him.”
Do you know anything about Geno Atkins, the guy you might be lining up next to?
“I know he is an absolute monster. It’s going to be an honor to play alongside somebody with such greatness, and to be able to soak it all up; being the young guy on the scene again. To be able to hone in on someone like him, I feel like it definitely going to elevate my game.”
Did you hear a lot of people doubting your five-star ranking?
“Everybody was saying I was a bust, and I wasn’t doing anything in college. There were all sorts of things, calling me soft. Just for me to get drafted, period, is a blessing. It’s just amazing how God works.”
Does the criticism give you a chip on your shoulder?
“They don’t even know the half of what is coming. I am ready to go.”
What stands out in your game?
“My quickness, and my strength along with it as well.”
With offers from all over the place, why did you chose Virginia?
“I chose Virginia for two reasons. The first reason was because of academics. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. I felt like with a degree from that university, I couldn’t go wrong. Secondly, I chose the University of Virginia because several guys like Eli Harold, Quin Blanding, Taquon Mizzell and all of us from the same area, if we go to Virginia, we could set the tone that you don’t have to go out of state to be successful. We took it upon ourselves to change the culture, stay in state and put Virginia on the map.”
What was your major?
“American Studies.”
Did you graduate?
“Yes sir.”
Share
Contributors
