FAMU Rattlers to the NFL: Hepburn Drafted While Teammates Agree To Terms



Courtesy: FAMU Athletics



TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  One of the most anticipated athletic sports drafts annually is the National Football League’s collegiate draft.  In recent years, it has taken on the pomp and circumstance of two days of broadcasting in prime time, from one of the most historic venues in all of entertainment, Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  The dream of virtually every football player at every amateur level is to have your name called on that stage, indicating your ascension to the top of the sport.

The reality of it is less than one percent of all football players ever get to reach that pinnacle in their careers.  This year was especially difficult for players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), as just two were selected over the seven rounds.   In the third round, Terron Armstead of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff was selected as the 13^th pick in that round.  Armstead was a standout lineman who stands a menacing 6’5” and weighs 306 pounds.  He was a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection and became the first SWAC payer since 2011 to be drafted.

The other player selected was FAMU’s Brandon Hepburn, who turned heads in just two years of playing full-time.  With not much football-playing experience, he walked on to the Rattler squad.  He credits coach George Small with instilling positivity in him on the football field, and position coach Earl Homes with helping him to develop into a standout football player.

Hepburn’s ascent to this point has been remarkable.  He is a model student-athlete, acquiring his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2012, and began the MBA program at the FAMU School of Business and Industry while playing his stellar senior season.  A testament to his well-rounded nature is his selection to the Allstate Good Works team.  This unit is comprised of all the football players in Division I, II and III.  Selected for his play on the field, performance in the classroom and dedication to community service, Hepburn is the first HBCU player to earn that award.

In the seventh round of this year’s draft, general manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz made the choice to grab Hepburn.  His selection was a major step in his realization that he could play on the next level.  The pressure of the NFL Draft had gotten to Hepburn as it was seemingly slipping away.  But then the call came, and since then it has been chaotic to say the least.

Shortly after the draft concluded, Padric Scott got a call from the Arizona Cardinals and Travis Harvey got a call from the Tennessee Titans.  Scott, who started his collegiate career at Stanford University, returned to Tallahassee, because “it felt like the right place to be,” Scott said.  Harvey was hampered by injuries and eligibility issues that prevented NFL teams from having bigger highlight reels to evaluate his talent.  Harvey did have a tape with a spectacular 75-yard catch and run for touchdown over Oklahoma this season.  One of the best things an HBCU player can do to get noticed, is to play well against FBS teams.




We had the opportunity to speak with the three players headed for the NFL rookie camps and asked them all the same questions.

BRANDON HEPBURN: Drafted 7th Round, Detroit Lions

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was at home in New York with my family sitting on the couch watching the draft.  Toward the middle of the seventh round, I got antsy.  I was wondering if it was better to get drafted or decide where I wanted to go in free agency.  God has a way of working things out.  I feel honored and blessed at the same time.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

I’m feeling ready to work. Along with my position, there is not a lot of job security.  I have to put my best foot forward and be an asset to the organization in order to make the team.  Making the team starts with an opportunity, that part is done.  Now it’s up to me to prove that I can play on this level and make the squad.

Q: What’s next for you?

I have rookie minicamp in a week.  Currently, I am waiting on my itinerary.  I have to visit Detroit and get a footing as I begin camp there. It’s going to be a process.  Training camp is in July and then preseason leads into regular season.  It doesn’t stop, once the ball gets rolling, there no time to catch your breath, you have to be ready to roll with the cycle.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

Not yet.  I think it might when I hit the field and hit somebody, but right now it hasn’t.

Q:  What would you like to say to the FAMU family?

I would like to definitely thank them for the entire process.  FAMU made a man out of me.  I would like to thank everybody from the sports information department who helped to promote me, to Mrs. (Faydre) Hawkins-Brown and Ms (Sheila) Martin.  My position coach and defensive coordinator Coach (Earl) Holmes.  I also want to thank Coach (Jimmie) Tyson for having a sound effect on my life. I know he isn’t there anymore, but we connected.   Coach Small guided me, like a godfather.  Of course I want to thank Coach (Joe) Taylor for trusting me as a captain and being the head coach.  I definitely want to thank my professors and the entire chemistry department.  All my co-neighbors who spent late nights in study groups to get it done.  I can’t forget the students from all those group projects in S.B.I. I’m glad I got to finish my undergraduate degree and get started on my master’s degree.  I’m looking forward to getting down to it on the field an make all FAMUans proud.

PADRIC SCOTT:  Undrafted, Arizona Cardinals

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was sitting in my parents’ (Dr. Ed & Pamela Scott) living room with the family.  When I got the call we all started shouting.  Dad was feeling great, to see the excitement in their faces made me feel good.  I don’t know if I’ll ever outgrow the satisfaction of making my parents proud.  To see emotion made feel really proud.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

Ahhh, Like I’m dreaming.  It really feels like I’m dreaming. God is so good.  My dad said “The Cardinals run a 4-3,” and I said God yes. He put me in this position and it really shows that hard work pays off.  It’s still crazy.  We went out last night and people were congratulating me and I still didn’t feel like they were talking to me.  To be able to represent FAMU and set a path for someone to follow is indescribable.

Q: What’s next for you?

I’m going to spend time with the people I love here.  I fly out on May 9, to report and do my do physical.  From there it’s rookie camp. The Arizona coaches told me to pack a big bag for about a month and a half.  After rookie camp, I will be active in all organized team activities (OTAs) and that’s my opportunity to kill it.  I’ll leave Tallahassee, a town that I’ve been at for so long, and go to Phoenix and wreck shop.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

It’s so surreal. Waking up to tell myself, but I can’t quite come to the realization.  My grandmother today made me have a reality. She usually asks me if I need some money.  I told her no, I have a job now.  I officially have a job, and it’s in the NFL. I will give it all I have to represent FAMU and all HBCUs.  It’s such a special feeling…a special moment.  When I get on that plane to Arizona, I’m sure it will finally sink in.

Q: What would you like to say to the FAMU family?

First and foremost thank you.  It’s been a blessing to be at FAMU.  Going to the west coast for college and coming back here where I feel wanted was just great.  Coach (George) Small my position coach was like a guiding light.  Pretty much all these faces in Tallahassee, I’ve known my whole life.  I feel they were watching me and I couldn’t disappoint them.  People want to talk bad about my school, when there is so much good going on.  The media often overlooks the good.  I want to make the 53 man roster so bad.  And when they introduce me, I can say with pride that I am from THE Florida A&M University and all our people can celebrate and be proud of all the good things that come from our university.  It is great to be a  part of three young men having the opportunity that less than one percent of football players have.

TRAVIS HARVEY: Undrafted, Tennessee Titans

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was at home at my apartment in Tallahassee.  I was by myself at the time I got the call.  I wasn’t doing anything spectacular, but I was very pleased to get the call.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

I’m excited that everything I went through paid off.  It was rough getting to this point.  I had more downs than ups to get here, but it was all worth it now.

Q: What’s next for you?

I go to rookie minicamp on May 9^th.  I’m going to get ready for that and make the best impression possible and make the team.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

I don’t think it has yet.  I think it will kick when I’m finally about to travel to Tennessee.  It will be interesting that I already played in their stadium this year when we played Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic. I kinda got a feel of  what it’s like to play in that stadium already and I’ll try to use that to my advantage anytime possible.

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COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION & FAMU ATHLETICS Release 4/28/2013.