UAB FOOTBALL FALL CAMP REPORT: Transfer OC Brothers finding his way for blazers

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 6, 2024

It wasn’t actually on the football field, but OC Brothers took some important steps during his only spring practice at UAB.

The former Purdue linebacker, who began his college career with a year at Auburn, sat out during spring practice to let his shoulder finish healing. It was a move that was beneficial in different ways.

“I think it was critical,” said UAB linebacker coach Kenwick Thompson. “Just him being here, even though he wasn't on the field as far as those 15 days in the spring, he got a chance to go through install a couple of times. He also got a chance to do a lot of the strength and the additional stuff that had to do with the mental toughness and whatnot. So that was really important and just becoming a part of the team. I think that the portal guys, it's really important that they acclimate themselves to the team that they're coming to. And anytime you can get guys on campus, that's an advantage.”

Brothers played in 31 games over four seasons at Purdue. The Titusville, Florida native arrived at Purdue in 2020 after playing in two games at Auburn during the 2019 season. His best season came in 2022 when he contributed 42 tackles, three pass breakups and quarterback hurry while starting in 10 of the 12 games he played. He had four solo tackles in a Big 10 Championship Game loss to Michigan and six solo tackles in a Citrus Bowl loss to LSU.

He played in the first five games last season, contributing 19 tackles and two sacks. His season ended on Oct. 28 when he suffered a torn labrum on Purdue’s first defensive series of the game. He had surgery soon afterward.

“Mentally I think it's probably the toughest part,” Brothers said. “Being up in Indiana, you know, I was basically by myself through it most of the time. I went through a lot of dark times, I’m not going to lie. But I prayed a lot, you know kept my faith in God and I always knew I was going to be back out there.”

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Brothers had a lot of interest after entering the transfer portal.

“They weren't trying to push me to play spring,” Brothers said of his decision to finish his college career at UAB. “They want to make sure my shoulders are good for the season, which I really respect it. Other programs were trying to push me to rush back, but that's not really what I wanted. And just the scheme here, the scheme allows me to flow, allows me to cover, run, hit, just basically show my versatility as a player.”

Brothers is currently competing for a starting spot at inside linebacker with senior Michael Moore and sophomore Everett Roussaw Jr. Brothers brings a physical run-stuffing style that he became accustomed to in the Big 10. He also is a versatile linebacker with more college experience than any other linebacker on the roster.

“Anytime you can get guys that got reps in those kind of environments, like he played in the Big 10, that's a plus,” Thompson said. “So that's what we were counting on. Even though it's a different scheme, football's football and the mindset that he brings to it at that level was big for us. And then one of the things, again with the portal guys, is finding guys that have the mindset to want to become part of your team. I think he did a real good job with that. He's done everything we've asked him to do, and so he's definitely been a good addition for us.”