Nov. 5, 2010
Redshirt senior Teriall Brannon is one of Vanderbilt’s most valuable and experienced defensive ends. After a strong 2009 season, Brannon has been a constant in Vanderbilt’s lineup this season. A native of Spartanburg, S.C., Brannon is close friends with former high school and college teammate D.J. Moore, and is known among teammates as the team’s personal barber. Brannon will graduate in December with a degree in human and organizational development.
On what he does to help some of the younger players, specifically the defensive linemen, adjust to a college system
You have to let them know the little things like how they can no longer get away with everything because they are more athletic or bigger than everybody else like in high school. It’s the little things that help them out, keep them mentally prepared to know what to do and what to not to do within the scheme of the defense.
On seeing his hometown friend and former teammate D.J. Moore doing well for the Chicago Bears
It’s great. I watch him every game. He’s in the starting lineup now at nickel and I hope that he succeeds. It’s great to see him living out his dream.
On how tough it was for D.J. last season to not receive much playing time
He took it well and he took it in stride. He knew he was a rookie and he had to prove himself. He took it pretty well, he wasn’t pouting about it. He worked hard and he’s in a good spot now.
On what it feels like to knock the quarterback on the ground
It feels good. But for me, when I knock him on the ground, I get up like I was supposed to do it and I don’t say anything. I just line back up and that makes it feel even better.
On how much his experience has helped him this season
Well, I feel like I’ve been here a long time so I came in knowing what to expect. I have played in previous games and I have a lot of experience playing. I feel like I was already ready.
On who he tries to model his game after
To tell you the truth, in the NFL, I have always liked Julius Peppers. But I don’t know if I model my game after him. He’s just somebody I always thought was very good. When he played in North Carolina, I remember seeing him one time in high school. We went to their fall camp, which was near where I was from in Spartanburg (S.C.). So my whole high school team went to watch them practice. I remember watching him, seeing how big he was.
On the best piece of advice he’s ever received from a coach
That’s a good question. I would say just stay focused and really just keep fighting. That’s the best piece of advice that could help me in life and on the field. When times get rough, just keep fighting and never give up. If you’re not in the position you want to be in, just keep fighting and things will work out for you. It helps me out in life, too, to keep on going.
On his plans after college
I don’t know. I know I want to open my own barbershop, that’s a big thing I do. I cut hair on the team and around campus. That’s something I really want to do. I’m going to look into that when I get out of school, but it’s really not set in stone what I am going to do yet.
