Brandon Underwood life and biography

Brandon Underwood is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL.

• Posted nine tackles on special teams in 2009, the most among Packers rookies.
• In Wild Card game at Arizona, became the first Packer since WR Antonio Freeman (at St. Louis, Jan. 20, 2002) to recover an onside kick in a playoff game.
• Named first-team All-Big East at safety in 2008 with four interceptions, including one of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma.
• Transferred to Cincinnati after spending redshirt year plus two seasons at Ohio State.
• Older brother, E.J., lettered three years at cornerback for Ohio State (2002-04).
• Became Packers’ first draft pick from Cincinnati in 42 years (C Jay Bachman, 5th round, 1967).

PRO CAREER:
Speedy, long-armed cornerback will look to compete for more playing time in his second season after contributing primarily on special teams as a rookie... Played in 11 games in ’09 and led all Packers rookies with nine tackles on special teams... Saw some time at dime back late in the season, and recorded five tackles (all solo) and a pass defensed... Overcame academic difficulties early in his college career that led to a lost scholarship at Ohio State by transferring to Cincinnati and paying his own way, turning in a standout final collegiate season with the Bearcats... Playing both cornerback and safety when injuries in the secondary dictated the need, was named first-team All-Big East at safety, finishing with four interceptions and earning Cincinnati’s special teams player of the year honor... A nationally ranked recruit out of Hamilton (Ohio) High School, originally went to Ohio State, where older brother, E.J., lettered three years as a cornerback (2002-04)... Redshirted his first year and suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the season opener the following season... Played sparingly in eight games as a redshirt sophomore in 2006 before losing his scholarship to academic troubles... Transferred to Cincinnati and sat out 2007 before returning to the field in ’08, when he helped lead the Bearcats to the FedEx Orange Bowl... Played in the East-West Shrine Game, one of six Bearcats to accept a postseason all-star invitation that year.

2009: Played in 11 games, mostly on special teams, and led the team’s rookies with nine special teams stops... Posted five tackles (all solo) and a pass defensed on defense... Healthy scratch for first four games of the season, and also missed contest at Pittsburgh (Dec. 20) due to hip injury sustained in the previous game... Vs. Detroit (Oct. 18): Made NFL debut, seeing time on special teams... Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 1): Played on special teams and posted first career tackle, assisting on stop on kickoff return... Vs. San Francisco (Nov. 22): Saw first action of his career on defense, coming in at dime back in the fourth quarter after starting CB Al Harris went down with a season-ending knee injury. Recorded one solo stop on defense and a career-high two tackles on special teams... At Chicago (Dec. 13): Posted a stop on special teams, but left game in the first quarter due to a hip strain and did not return... Vs. Seattle (Dec. 27): Matched his career high with two tackles on special teams, and also registered two solo tackles and a pass defensed on defense. Tackled WR Deion Branch in the left flat for a 1-yard loss on fourth-quarter reception... At Arizona (Jan. 3): Saw significant action at LCB in second half when starters were pulled. Posted two solo tackles, including a stop of RB Tim Hightower for a 1-yard loss on third-quarter reception... At Arizona (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 10): Served as dime back and posted a solo tackle. Became the first Packer since WR Antonio Freeman (at St. Louis, Jan. 20, 2002) to recover an onside kick in a playoff game. With Green Bay trailing 31-17 midway through the third quarter, caught Mason Crosby’s kick off of one bounce at the Packers’ 43; the offense utilized the field position to score a TD in eight plays to narrow the Cardinals’ lead to 31-24... 2009 Draft: Selected with the second of the Packers’ two sixth-round draft choices, No. 187 overall. Taken with a selection originally obtained from the New Orleans Saints in a 2008 draft-day trade. Became just the fourth player drafted by the Packers out of Cincinnati and the first since C Jay Bachman in 1967.

COLLEGE:
Finished his career at Cincinnati after spending first two seasons at Ohio State... Playing both CB and S when injuries in the secondary dictated the need, earned first-team All-Big East honors at S with the Bearcats in ’08... Majored in criminal justice and African-American studies... Senior season (2008): Started all 14 games for the Bearcats, earning first-team All-Big East honors at S... Posted four INTs, a team-leading three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles... Was named Cincinnati’s special teams player of the year... Posted six tackles and an interception off of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford at Oklahoma (Sept. 6)... Finished his college career with six tackles, a sack, and an INT against Virginia Tech (Jan. 1) in the FedEx Orange Bowl... Junior season (2007): Sat out after transferring to Cincinnati from Ohio State... Sophomore season (2006): Played sparingly in each of the final eight games of the season, including a special-teams appearance in the BCS National Championship game vs. Florida (Jan. 8)... Redshirt freshman season (2005): Posted three tackles in season opener vs. Miami of Ohio (Sept. 3), but injured his shoulder in the game and missed the remainder of the season.

PERSONAL:
Born Brandon Danté Underwood in Cincinnati. Nicknamed B.U. and B-Wood. Married to Brandie, the couple has two sons, Cameron, 2, and infant Amari... Older brother, E.J., lettered three years at CB for Ohio State (2002-04)... After losing his scholarship at Ohio State and transferring to Cincinnati, worked a job at a Hollywood Video store to help put himself through school... High school: Played CB and WR at Hamilton (Ohio) High School... Was ranked the 13th-best overall prospect in the state by The Ohio Football Recruiting News, the 16th-best CB prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, and the 14th-best CB prospect in the nation by TheInsiders.com... Had 60 tackles his senior year... Had three INTs, 15 passes broken up and 50 tackles as a junior... Also ran track and qualified for the state meet as a sprinter in the 4x200- and 4x400-meter relays, and the 200-meter dash.

As Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and singing and dancing... Lists Family Guy and Seinfeld as his favorite TV shows and Office Space as his favorite movie... Has a Great Pyrenees named Rusty.

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