Brandon Cisse, South Carolina, an ascending boundary corner whose physicality, press ability, and downhill burst have turned him into a mid‑to‑early Day‑2 NFL prospect after a breakout 2025 season in Columbia.
South Carolina, CB- Brandon Cisse, 6’0” 196 lbs.
Background and Recruit Profile
High School: Lakewood High School (Sumter, South Carolina); transferred to South Carolina from NC State in January 2025. College arrival: Joined the Gamecocks as a transfer and immediately earned spring newcomer honors on defense and special teams. Frame: Listed at 6 ft 0 in, 196 lbs, Cisse brings the length and physical base NFL teams covet at the boundary corner position.
Physical Profile and Measurables
Height/Weight: 6‑0, 196 lbs. Frame: Long‑armed, muscular build with a compact lower half that aids sudden directional changes and press leverage.
Athletic traits: Noted for explosive lateral quickness, downhill burst to the ball, and the willingness to engage at the line in press coverage; evaluators will want formal testing numbers to quantify recovery speed and short‑area explosion.
College Career and Production
Cisse started all 12 games for South Carolina in 2025 and finished the season with 27 tackles (19 solo), 1.5 TFL, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 5 pass breakups, adding consistent boundary coverage and physical run support for a Gamecocks secondary that leaned on his versatility. Across his collegiate career (including time at NC State), he compiled 65 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions, showing steady production and playmaking upside as he matured into a full‑time starter.
Strengths
Press and Physicality: Willing and effective at jamming receivers at the line, disrupting timing and rerouting routes at the snap.
Lateral Quickness and Recovery: Exceptional hip fluidity and recovery speed when stacked vertically, allowing him to take away deep targets and close on contested throws.
Downhill Instincts: Aggressive in run support and on screens; shows the burst to trigger downhill and make tackles in space.
Versatility: Comfortable playing boundary man, handling press responsibilities, and contributing on special teams early in his career.
Weaknesses
Ball Production: While sticky in coverage, interception totals are modest, and scouts will want to see more turnover creation at the next level.
Consistency vs. Elite Speed: Needs to prove he can mirror the fastest NFL receivers over sustained routes; timed testing will be important.
Technique Polishing: Footwork and hand placement in transition can be refined to reduce separation on sudden double moves.
Player Profile and Projection
Draft Projection: Mid Day‑2 (Rounds 2–3) with upside to climb into late Day‑1 if testing validates his recovery speed and he shows improved ball production. Role Projection: Day‑1 slot or boundary starter in man‑heavy schemes; immediate special‑teams contributor. Ceiling/Floor: Floor: reliable starting boundary corner in zone/man rotations; Ceiling: top‑15 corner capable of locking down one side and generating turnovers.
Pro Comparison
A more physical, press‑oriented version of Donte Jackson, a boundary defender who wins with quickness, physicality, and recovery rather than pure top‑end speed.
Sportsvival View
Sportsvival views Brandon Cisse as a high‑upside, scheme‑versatile corner whose press ability and downhill instincts make him an attractive mid‑round target for teams that prioritize man coverage and physical boundary play. Strong pre‑draft testing and a sharper ball‑production profile could push him into early Day‑2 consideration
(photo courtesy of the State)