When Brandon Cisse reflects on his path to the NFL draft, he points to three defining moments that shaped his journey.
The first moment occurred on November 7, 2020, when Cisse attended a South Carolina Gamecocks game with his father. Watching Jaycee Horn play in Columbia for the last time left a strong impression on him. “I was sitting in the nosebleeds with my dad, and I was watching him out on the field,” Cisse said this week as he prepared for the NFL combine. “I got to see him live for the first time, and that’s someone I look up to, and hopefully one day I can be better than him.”
Horn would later become the No. 8 overall pick for the Carolina Panthers. He became both a mentor and supporter for Cisse as he progressed through college football. After two years at NC State and then transferring to South Carolina, Cisse received encouragement from Horn following a standout performance against Virginia Tech. “I remember after the Virginia Tech game, he tweeted at me, and it made my day,” said Cisse. “He just said ’15 keep going’ and just a lockdown emoji. So I still got it.” Cisse added: “I mean, you just turn on this tape, and you watch it, but he’s also a better person. I can reach out to him, and he can get back to me very fast.”
The second pivotal moment happened before his senior year of high school when Cisse realized how much he loved football but needed $100 to attend an NC State camp—money that could lead to college recruitment opportunities. His mother agreed after some persuasion from her son.
“I begged her,” Cisse recalled during his NFL combine press conference. “I just told her I wasn’t going to make her wrong. And then, when I went out there and earned the offer (from NC State), I called her, and she was super happy for me, and I probably committed the next week to go to college.” He continued: “My mom never doubted me… She’s always been in my corner, so she’s been a great influence on me. She works very hard… For her to give me that money… Hey Mom, I’m not going to prove you wrong.’ Because she goes out there and she worked very hard for me … so she did a great job.”
Cisse’s determination paid off with two seasons at NC State where he recorded 28 tackles and five passes defensed in 2024 before moving back home for another productive season at South Carolina.
Looking ahead in his career approach toward competition in football’s highest ranks remains unchanged: “I mean, every day is a competition,” said Cisse. “Even when I become the seven, hopefully eight-year veteran, it’s not going to change. Every year I got to go out and earn my job…”
For motivation during challenging times or periods of doubt while pursuing professional football ambitions—including dreams of playing at Bank of America Stadium—Cisse has developed personal rituals rooted in memories from childhood visits with family members.
“Sometimes, for motivation, I just go drive up around the stadium just to look at it,” shared Cisse about trips past downtown Charlotte—the location of Panthers home games according their official website. The stadium serves as an anchor point reminiscent of early aspirations nurtured by attending games or fan events growing up across North or South Carolina (official website). The Panthers’ presence throughout both states is notable (official website).
“Just sometimes … if I’m bored … Sometimes I just go around it,” said Cisse regarding those drives near Bank of America Stadium—a facility also highlighted by its support of community outreach efforts throughout Carolinas (official website). “It excites me seeing the city … seeing the stadium just makes it more intense.”
While which team will select Brandon Cisse this April remains unknown; what endures are formative influences—a pro athlete’s example; unwavering family backing; plus inspiration drawn from iconic venues—all factors guiding him toward an NFL future.
