Velocity Trained Athletes


Brandon Mebane

Sport(s): NFL
Position(s): Defense Tackle

Biography

OVERVIEW
After the 2006 season and based on his stellar performance during the week of Senior Bowl practices, Mebane has changed the perception that there wasn't much in the way of defensive line talent in the Pac-10.
 
Blessed with natural strength and explosion coming off the snap to gain leverage, Mebane proved that despite his lack of ideal height, he is more than capable of excelling in a one-gap defensive scheme. With 19½ tackles behind the line of scrimmage the last two years, the weak-side defensive tackle showed he plays with the leverage needed to stack double teams.
 
Mebane earned SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American honors as a senior at Crenshaw High School. He was rated the No. 24 defensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com, which also ranked him No. 55 on its California Top 100 players list and No. 67 on its West Top 100 chart. A first-team Best of the West pick by the Long Beach Press-Telegram, as well as All-West Region first team by Sports Illustrated, Mebane was also an all-state choice in 2002.
 
He was selected 2001 Los Angeles City Defensive Player of the Year and was a three-time all-city, All-Central City and all-league selection. Mebane recorded 75 tackles, 13 sacks and two fumble recoveries on defense and ran for five touchdowns as a fullback as a senior, adding 2002 Los Angeles Central City Player of the Year honors. As a junior, he posted 78 tackles and 19 sacks. He also performed as a shot putter in track.
 
Mebane saw action in four games as a true freshman in 2003 at California. He posted three solo tackles with a 9-yard sack, gaining valuable experience his first year. He earned All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention in 2004, starting the final nine games at weak-side defensive tackle when injuries hit the front wall. He totaled 25 tackles (20 solos) with 2½ sacks, six stops for losses and a pass deflection.
 
Mebane was named All-Pac 10 Conference first team and the Bears' Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in 2005, despite being slowed at midseason with a right ankle sprain that kept him out of the starting lineup against Washington State and Oregon. He started the rest of the year at weak-side tackle, posting 29 tackles (16 solos) with 9½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He led the team with seven sacks and also deflected one pass.
 
Mebane garnered All-American third-team and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team accolades in 2006. Despite constant double- and triple-team coverage, he went on to record a career-high 52 tackles (21 solos). He registered four sacks with 10 stops for losses, including one for a safety. He also caused and recovered a fumble.
 
In 41 games at California, Mebane started 31 times. He collected 109 tackles (60 solos), 14½ sacks for minus-87 yards and 16½ stops for losses totaling 116 yards. He caused and recovered a fumble, adding two pass deflections and a safety.
 
Compares To: Kelly Gregg, Baltimore Ravens … While not an ideal two-gap performer, Gregg and Mebane both have the strength to obliterate blockers once they get their hands on them … Neither has ideal bulk for an NFL nose guard, but both compensate with good explosion in their hips driving off the ball to push blockers back into the pocket … With his ability to tie up multiple blockers, Mebane will be a valuable performer in a one-gap alignment.