Brandon Cleveland: "It's Been A Journey"

NC State defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland recently met with the media to discuss his play this season, the upcoming bowl game against East Carolina, and more.

NOTE: Click on the video above to watch the interview.

How exciting is this opportunity? East Carolina looks for this as their Super Bowl, playing against NC State. How will you counteract the fact that they'll have so much emotion in this game? 
I just take every game the same. I mean, it's all fun.

Do you have an extra year of eligibility? Can you come back next year? 
No, this is my last year -- the year after.

Brandon, what's it like for you to see Coach Freddie kind of get this opportunity to lead the defense? 
I'm excited for Coach Freddie to get this opportunity to lead the defense just because, you know, I've been with DB so long. So, I'm really close with Freddie, so I'm excited to see what he does with this opportunity.

How much did your work – Coach just talked about your work down in Moore Square, working with people experiencing homelessness. How much did that factor into your decision to come back to NC State? 
It was a big decision. I mean, I love helping people and giving back and doing what I can do, so, you know, that's always a blessing.

How important is it to win this game for you guys, to go out, to send this team out the right way, maybe give some momentum to next year?
Yeah, it's very important, especially playing ECU in the bowl game, playing the first game in the regular season. We definitely want to win and build some momentum into next year. 

You just re-signed with Savage Wolves. What does that process look like? And what was that experience like for you? 
Shit, I wanted to come back, so I signed a paper to come back. 

What is it about NC State that makes you want – some of the things that appeal to you as to why you would want to stay here? 
I mean, everything. Just the family environment, the players, the brotherhood, the academics, the support staff, just everything is just a place I want to be.

So, are you coming back next year? 
Mm-hmm.

In what role? 
As a player. 

Well, I guess a follow-up question. I don't know if you've been looking at any of the news, but Bill Belichick might be the head coach at UNC. What does that mean, that maybe you could beat him in Carolina next year possibly? 
That'd be pretty cool to tell my kids one day. 

What's it been like being playing next to Davin Vann and the inspiration he provides to the entire team with his effort level? 
Yeah, Davin Vann and Travali Price, like, just playing with them, I'm confident, I trust them, and I think we all just push each other and we all just play at a league level.

On being a leader as a senior next year…
Yeah, it's kind of crazy. Me and Travali are pretty close, so it's just crazy. We used to be the younger guys, now we're the older guys now, so it's crazy.

What is the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make being a senior leader? 
I think just being more vocal and leading up probably would be a good way. 

Who are some of the young guys that you're looking forward to getting a little bit more reps the next few weeks and going into the bowl? 
Definitely Justin Terrell and Joshua Ofor. I'm very excited for them to see what they do. They're like little brothers to me, so keep pushing them and help them do the best they can be.

What's it been like to see them kind of grow in their first years in the program? 
I mean, it's pretty exciting because I just look back to when I was young and I see a lot of me in them, so I just try to help them steer clear and do the right things. 

What's the biggest lesson you learned when you think about your path? You made it to Miami, you flipped to NC State, you arrived as a defensive end. I don't know how much weight you had to put on to be a nose tackle, but the last three years have been pretty much a journey.
Yeah, it's been a journey, a good journey. I'm grateful for it and I just take it day by day. 

Do you have aspirations like Coach Freddie? Do you think that's something you'd want to do down the road, pursue coaching? 
Yeah, I’d pursue coaching. It's something I want to do. I like helping people and developing people. 

Do you think in that sense his path to where he is now is sort of inspirational to you? 
Yeah.