Humble Brewer ignores critics at NFL Draft Combine

James Brewer earned praise when he reportedly dominated the competition at the Senior Bowl last month. Sports Illustrated said he “established himself as the best blocker at the event.”

Now he is in Indianapolis for the NFL Draft Combine.

Through all the kind words, Brewer remains the same humble guy he was as an offensive tackle at IU and a guard at Arlington High School in Indianapolis. He knows the odds of succeeding in the National Football League are against him, and he understands how much hard work it will take to play at the highest level.

So Brewer ignores everything.

Somebody says he did well? Who cares? He knows he can do better.

His quarterback pats him on the back to thank him for giving him time to throw? Brewer said he knows he has to do it again.

“You have to stay humble, period,” said Brewer. “You can’t ever feel like you made it. Even if I get drafted, I won’t feel like I made it. Just because I got drafted won’t mean I’m going to play full-time. You’ve got to stay humble and know that you’re here for a reason because being invited to the combine is a great honor.”

Brewer, a 6-foot-6-inch, 330-pound lineman, did not begin playing football until his senior year of high school. He had been a basketball player as a sophomore at Warren Central in Indianapolis and as a junior at Lawrence Central in Lawrence, Ind.

Since he picked up football, Brewer’s been through his share of challenges.

He was redshirted his freshman year at IU in 2006 and then missed most of the next two seasons due to injuries. Brewer faced the possibility of never playing a college game. Some wondered if he was a bust.

But he didn’t quit.

Brewer started all 12 games at right tackle the following year and helped protect his roommate and quarterback, Ben Chappell.

Last season, he started nine games and received an All-Big Ten honorable mention from the league’s coaches and media.

Even though he picked up football later than most, Brewer developed a love for the game and a dream to play on Sundays.

“It started as a tool I was going to use to go to school for free,” he said. “But after a while, it became something that I was passionate about. The opportunity to play at the next level and push yourself even more was something I really was excited about.”

Brewer has the opportunity to go through the draft preparations with three of his college teammates: Tandon Doss, Terrance Turner and Chappell. Of those three, Doss and Turner are also participating in the combine.

The four stay in contact as much as possible and try to help each other with various areas of the process.

“It’s good to know guys you played with are going through the same thing you’re going through,” Turner said. “If you have any questions come up, you always have someone to turn to.”

Brewer, who has spent the past two months training in Florida, began his combine work Wednesday by getting the necessary tests at an Indianapolis hospital. He started the weightlifting events Thursday and will finish with the running stations tomorrow.

Turner said he believes Brewer will impress scouts with his performance this weekend.

“He’s really, really athletic,” Turner said. “I think that helps him out a lot. He’s quick enough to go toe-to-toe with the smaller defensive ends.”

While Brewer admitted it was good to be home, he said staying focused is something of a challenge.

“The nice thing about it is, when this is all over, I’m only a few minutes from Bloomington and everybody I know,” he said. “But for the four days I’m at the combine, you’ve got to shut some people out. There’s no time to talk or hang out. For the most part, it’s all business right now.”