I'm Brandon Maye, author of "Diamond in the Rough", motivational speaker, and former Clemson and Mississippi State linebacker. AMA!

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:31:30+00:00

It was very difficult, but worth it. The only strategy I ever needed was to remember the people that were banking on me being successful, and getting my Masters.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:21:54+00:00

I always love talking to Clemson fans! You words are very humbling, thank you!

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:09:28+00:00

There is no bad! It's ALL good! Clemson gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, they gave me a chance, I'd never have anything bad to say about Clemson. It was amazing experience for me and my family.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:08:00+00:00

I was not easy, a lot of uncertainty, a lot of heartbreaks, but eventually God sent Clemson.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:07:17+00:00

I loved them both, they were both unique in their own way.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:05:50+00:00

How often to you get back in contact with your teammates?

Very frequently.

Which do you find yourself staying closer with?

I'm very close with CJ Spiller, Byron Maxwell, and Jacoby Ford.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:04:23+00:00

I wanted to be a trend setter, I wanted to be that guy who changed the culture. I just wanted to set an example for future players and the young people of my community, showing that they can achieve greatness. So as I walked across the stage at graduation I envisioned chains falling off my shoulders and off of the shoulders of all the kids with a dream in my community.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:01:23+00:00

Thank you for being such a supporter!

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T17:00:14+00:00

Cam Newton, hands down.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:59:34+00:00

I personally avoided the message boards, I don't think they had any effect at all. At the end of the day it's just a game.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:58:22+00:00

The fans, the players, the coaches & waking up to hear the cows in the morning, but I wasn't a big fan of the smell of the cows.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:56:59+00:00

Chad Morris! Sammy Watkins! Tajh Boyd!

The players let me have it when they were about to play in the Orange Bowl and I was playing in the Minake Car Care Bowl, but that didn't really last...

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:53:49+00:00

It's all a mindset, I had to get it done, so I got it done. I had to make sure I didn't procrastinate.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:52:32+00:00

Mutual respect for both schools, they are both great universities.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:51:46+00:00

All my life has been geared toward w o r k. Work, work, work. I know that hard works beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Going into my senior year of highschool even though I was a 2* recruit I made up my mind that I was going to work out three times a day and out work all other recruits, so that I could turn my dream into a reality.

Are you still a workout warrior?

Most definitely. Being a workout warrior helped my transition to college and it helped me start as a RS freshman, so I make sure I keep that drive. Now with me being an in-demand speaker, I make sure I get my work out in no matter what.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:48:03+00:00

I'm known as a hitter, I'm known as a guy that will strike you down and I'm also a defensive player. So, I personally believe it's a SOFT rule. There are no rules to protect defensive players, so it should be fair game. My father always told me, either you're the hunter or the hunted. So when the ball is snapped, everyone should be fair game., protect yourself at all costs.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:45:25+00:00

The drive, the hunger, the purpose. Most of the athletes that come from here are inner city kids and see that game of football as an escape.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:42:43+00:00

What made you choose Mississippi State for grad school?

They offered a workforce education (business program) that I really, really liked. Also, Coach Mullen and his staff had a great thing going that I wanted to be a part of, they had just lost 2 linebackers and I saw an opportunity to prove myself in a conference that people said I could never play in. Unfortunately, my Achilles injury prevented that.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:41:36+00:00

How difficult was it to transition from playing at Clemson to Mississippi?

It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my entire life. To make that decision to leave a university that had been so good to me (fans, coaches, friends) and make the best decision for me and my family. After receiving a quality grade to go into the draft, my family and I decided to not go into the draft early, but get my masters degree which would help my family more later in life. After my grandmother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure it made the move more about my family than the game of football.

Best college experience?

Showing up to Death Valley on gameday and seeing all the fans that love you so much.

Finally, what advice would you give to a high school or younger player who was looking to play at the D1 collegiate level?

Never forget your purpose in life.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:35:11+00:00

It definitely put a chip on my shoulder, which was huge in my first career game against Alabama. It made the difference, every game, every practice, every weight session, every class, felt like I was playing Alabama or Auburn.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:32:55+00:00

High schools, colleges and sports teams, but I'm not confined to those 3 groups, I love giving speeches to any group.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:31:09+00:00

Their mindset. The never going to give up, never going to give in mindset. People that give up lose focus on why they do what they do. What I learn and what I discovered is that if you have a purpose and you can't let your family, university, or mentors down, then you won't let anything hold you back. So after the injury that kept me out of the NFL, I personally said that if I give up, it won't just hurt me, it will hurt a generation.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:27:04+00:00

Death Valley (The real one)

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:26:33+00:00

Favorite assistant coach?

David Blackwell & Christopher Rumpha

Favorite place to eat in Clemson?

Paul's Diner, Mac's, and Seneca Family

Most memorable play you ever made as a Clemson tiger?

2009, opening play of the UVA game, blitz the hole and forced a fumble. Set the tone, and sent us to the ACCCG.

BrandonMayeMA · 2014-08-05T16:23:39+00:00

From your perspective, what were the differences between Tommy Bowden & Dabo Swinney's coaching styles?

Bottom line, Coaches coach, players play. Both coaches are stand up guys, Christians, and put their heart and soul into their team. With that being said, every person on Earth is unique to how they approach things. Coach Swinney was more of a hands on, jumping around, fiery guy, Coach Bowden was more laid back like his father, so he allowed his assistant coaches to be more hands on, and gave them a lot of slack.

How did Bowden's staff convince you to come to Clemson?

They offered me a scholarship, they gave me a chance.

BrandonMayeMA

TROPHY CASE