Brandon Ghee Interview

Cornerback – Wake Forest

By: Alex Khvatov

3/1/10

Alex Khvatov: How are you preparing for the Combine?

Brandon Ghee: The first thing is that I am waking up very early. I am getting up at around 5:30 in the morning. I am preparing mentally for the Combine. I eat a good meal. I am training here in Miami . I stretch, lift weights and do a lot of running. The mental aspect is a lot more important than the physical part at the Combine.


Alex Khvatov: How would you rate your performance during the Senior Bowl?

Brandon Ghee: It was above average. I started off sluggish in the beginning, and then I came on strong. I experienced different coaching. I haven’t played football since November. I feel that it was above average. I will do better at the Combine. I played solid during the actual Senior Bowl game. I had two tackles. I played pretty well.


Alex Khvatov: What did you take away from that whole experience?

Brandon Ghee: I know now what I can expect in the NFL. I saw a glimpse of that during this week. We had to be ready. You have to listen and learn. You have to pick up things very fast. There is a faster leaning curve in the NFL.


Alex Khvatov: Were you able to bond with any of the players during that week?

Brandon Ghee: Yeah, I got to know Jacoby Ford and Dexter McCluster. I played against them before. I had a chance to bond with them. We got to know each other better. I had fun during the Senior Bowl week.


Alex Khvatov: Who was the best wide receiver that you went up against at the Senior Bowl?

Brandon Ghee: Taylor Price from Ohio . He is smart. He is not only athletically gifted, but he runs good routes. He was the best one. There is no doubt about it.


Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Brandon Ghee: I am 6’0”, 195 and I run in the low 4.3’s.


Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play?

Brandon Ghee: I ran track. I ran the 100 and 200 meters . I ran a 10.2 in the 100. It was fun. It was really laid back. I loved track, but after high school I just focused on football.


Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you besides Wake Forest ?

Brandon Ghee: Tennessee , Virginia Tech, West Virginia , Clemson and North Carolina .


Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Wake Forest ?

Brandon Ghee: I knew that I might have a chance to play early. It was a family atmosphere. I made the right decision. Jim Grobe is a great coach. I had the chance to go to the Orange Bowl. It was a growing program. I graduated in December. It was a great opportunity.


Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths on the football field?

Brandon Ghee: I can cover. I have the speed and the physical nature.


Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game do you need to improve upon?

Brandon Ghee: I mostly need to be more aggressive and physical. I need to come up with more picks. I proved that I can be physical at the Combine.


Alex Khvatov: Describe to us your career at Wake Forest .

Brandon Ghee: I started from the ground up. I had to earn my position. I learned the playbook. Alphonso Smith, Aaron Curry and my older brother played here. During my redshirt sophomore year, I had about 10 pass break ups. I went to a bowl game. We also went to the Orange Bowl during my redshirt freshman year.


Alex Khvatov: How would you rate your senior season?

Brandon Ghee: It was above average. I had to overcompensate because Alphonso Smith and Curry left for the NFL. I had to teach guys new positions. I was trying to do too much in the beginning. I took on more of a leadership role. Then I settled into my role and gained respect from my teammates. I did well.


Alex Khvatov: What is the most memorable moment of your football career?

Brandon Ghee: I was happy for my older brother because he went to the Orange Bowl during my redshirt freshman year. We were 11-2 that year. It was the best record in Wake Forest ’s history.


Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?

Brandon Ghee: Ronnie Lott. He can do it all. He is physical and he has great technique. He has very good speed. He was one of my favorite players to watch.


Alex Khvatov: Which underclassman on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Brandon Ghee: Safety Cyhl Quarles. He is 6’2” and 210 pounds and he runs in the low 4.4’s. He is got the talent.


Alex Khvatov: What do you bring to the table that other cornerbacks don’t?

Brandon Ghee: Obviously speed and cover skills. I have the ability to play press man and play zone. I have the speed to stay with the receiver and I have the height as well.


Alex Khvatov: Did you ever think that you would have a chance to play in the NFL when you were growing up?

Brandon Ghee: Yes, you have to aim for the stars. When I watched the NFL on TV, I wanted to be one of them. I had no doubt that I could make it. Now I am here.


Alex Khvatov: If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?

Brandon Ghee: My grandfather. He passed away a few years ago. I really looked up to him. He had lung cancer. It would definitely be him.


Alex Khvatov: What makes you a unique individual?

Brandon Ghee: I am a military brat. I am a well-rounded person. I have moved around a lot. I am an overall rounded person. I am not stuck up at all.


Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?

Brandon Ghee: I listen to music. I chill with my family. My brother lives in Tampa . It is not too often that we get together as a whole family. But whenever I go back home to Virginia , I cherish that time. I watch movies. Whenever I am not working out, I am just relaxing. I don’t go out.


Alex Khvatov: Finish the sentence, Brandon Ghee is….

Brandon Ghee: Intelligent. I have great ability. I am a good person on and off-the-field. I have the ability to start in the NFL as a rookie. I can contribute to an NFL team right away.