Name: Brad Birkhauser
College: Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 230
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
Brad: Fast, Instinctive and Violent.
Q: How are you going to train/prepare this offseason in preparation for the draft or other pro opportunities?
Brad: I have been training at NX Level Sport Performance. Matt Gifford has a small group that he coaches.
Q: If you could compare yourself to one current or former NFL player who would it be and why?
Brad: A player that I would compare myself to would be CJ Mosley. I have been of fan of him ever since he was at Alabama. I like the way he plays. He is always around the ball, stuffing the run or dropping back into pass coverage. Wherever the ball is, Mosley is usually around it. I have tried to emulate the way he plays. Always flying to the ball, whether I am dropping into pass coverage or stopping the run. Playing with an edge like he does.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
Brad: When I watched film, there are a few things I look at. First, just getting a feel of what they like to do, after that I will look at what their favorite formations and plays are. Then I like see if there are any tells pre-snap of what the play is going to be. I also like to see what the breakdown is on formations plays for different downs and distances. Last I would look at special team units I would go against and get a feel of what they were doing.
Q: What separates you from other players at your position?
Brad: What separates me from other players at my position is I am an every down linebacker. In the defense this year I played in the box, out of the box, and on the line of scrimmage. I came up and stopped the run, I covered slots, running backs and tight ends. I also blitzed from multiple positions. The versatility is something I think separates me from other athletes at my position.
Q: What kind of abilities would you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Brad: The abilities that I would bring a team on and off the field are, the work ethic I had instilled in me at a young age. I always feel like someone is out there doing more than me and that pushes me to do more every day. My personality, I like meeting new people getting to know some of the guys throughout this process has been a lot of fun. During my internship, the company I worked for partnered with Alex’s Lemonade Stand. I really want to get involved with that organization in their fight against childhood cancer.
Q: What is your final pitch/sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
Brad: I will give you everything I have to help the team win, I was on every special teams unit throughout my college career and know that I can help make impact there right away. You will not regret taking the chance on me. When you walk on the field you can throw out all the numbers from combines or pro days because it is about who has more heart and who wants it more. I believe in myself as a football player and will give everything I have for this opportunity.