*Brandon Booker Post-DSFL Draft Presser

[Memento Mori]

Brandon Booker here, back to answer more of your questions. In the DSFL draft last night I was drafted with the third pick of the fifth round, #35 overall by the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers. I was the ninth CB taken as plenty flew off the board early.

Happy to take any questions about the draft process and outcome as well as any other questions you might have. Fire away!

How do you feel about how the draft went?

Where else did you see yourself potentially landing?

Thanks for your questions! Overall, I feel great. I was disappointed to slip out of the first three rounds, and I was disappointed to see that the GMs from Portland, Norfolk, London, Kansas City and Tijuana drafted cornerbacks who weren't me when I was still available.

Being picked by Myrtle Beach totally made up for that. The Buccaneers are a team with a winning culture and a great locker room. I'm very excited to be a part of the organisation. I thought that one of the other teams I mentioned might pick me as I knew they needed a corner and they had expressed interest in me during the pre-draft process. Ultimately, it's their loss. I look forward to proving those five GMs wrong when we play them this season!

What are you most looking forward to during the season?

I can't wait to get on the field with my new teammates. We drafted two incredible defenders with our first two picks in Johnny and Troen. This defense is going to be stacked, and it's going to be so much fun to wreck offenses every week and watch them struggle to move the ball. This team is special, and I think we'll be playing during Ultimus Week again this season.

Are you aiming for the NSFL next season or happy to take your time in the DSFL?

Straight up, I'd love to be on an NSFL roster next season. I want to test myself against the best. But I'm a team player. Whatever the coach needs me to do, I'll do it. If he wants me to play linebacker, or safety, or special teams, or even just carry the water bottles I'll do it. It's about helping the team win, however I can. If staying in the DSFL is what's best for the team, I trust the coach to make that decision.

Who is your favourite MB TE?

Easy one. Montgomery Mantooth. Love the guy.

What sort of emotions did you go through on draft night?

It was a rollercoaster. I expected to be one of the first few CBs taken and when I saw five CBs go off the board while I was still sat in the green room staring at my phone I was worried. Thankfully the coaching staff at Myrtle Beach saw what the other GMs couldn't and took me at 35. Getting that phone call and hearing my name read out on the podium was a great feeling.

How do you feel about your new teammates? :p

This. Defense. Is. Phenomenal. I love my new teammates already. So many talented guys, we can all learn from each other. It's going to be a great year for us.

How are you enjoying your new locker room?

I'm loving it. During the pre-draft process I was concerned it might be too loud if anything but now that I've settled in, it's perfect.

If you could go back before the draft and do one thing different to try and increase your draft stock, what would it have been?

Looking back, I probably should've gone harder in the first week. I was pretty consistent through the pre-draft process and got interest from every team, but some of the corners drafted ahead of me were super active in the first week before tailing off. But on the other hand, the end result shows Myrtle Beach were paying attention and some of the other teams were less thorough with their scouting. I like the idea that the teams who come out of this draft on top will be the ones with the most effective scouting units.

What is your favorite part of your new team?

From a purely on-field standpoint, it's got to be our defensive line. The two picks before me were both linemen and they'll make life so much easier for those of us in the secondary. We're going to get a lot of interceptions that come from panicked, rushed throws with Troen or Octavio in the QB's face. Off the field, it's the team spirit in the locker room. Everyone is very positive and the drive to improve is infectious. You can tell we're going to win a lot of games.

Are you upset that you were taken so late in the draft?

I have a few dartboards in my apartment. One has the faces of the Portland GMs on it, another with Norfolk’s GMs, and ones for London, Kansas City and Tijuana too. I’m taking it really well, I’m not mad at all.

What are some things that you can't wait to do with your new teammates?

I’d love to see the coaches organise some team bonding sessions or away days so we can all get to know each other better, it seems like a great group. Maybe paint balling, white water rafting, run in the Democratic Party primary. All the usual stuff.

Favorite kind of sushi?

Good question. I’m on a pretty strict diet at the moment to get me at 100% ahead of the season but during the off-season I love to tuck into some tempura rolls. Everything tastes better deep fried.

Lastly, favorite (non-myrtle) beach?

Gotta be Miami Beach. I had a great time playing for the Miami Grenadiers during the Prospect Bowl and meeting up with the guys again in Miami would be pretty cool.

So far, who do you think is the best GM? Frost or Cory?

Frost. Purely on the basis that Cory has too many sigs.

What's your favorite sport? What team do you support from said sport?

It's football of course. If it was any other sport, I'd have turned pro in that sport instead. Being an Arizona native, my team was the Cardinals growing up. As we all know, though, the NFL eventually shut down because the NSFL was beating its ratings. It was a shame that that happened just after Kyler Murray won his 6th Super Bowl with the Cards. Would've been nice to see him overtake Brady for #1 all-time.

Favorite NSFL team branding?

Gotta go Outlaws seeing as I'm from AZ. Maybe it'd be cool to play for them one day. Will their first round pick be high enough to take me, though?

Dogs or cats?

Cats. They're the only animal more lithe and agile than cornerbacks. I look up to them.

Any picks in the draft that you would consider steals or busts?

Biggest steal has got to be Myrtle Beach's own Mr 271, Tom Sofa. Last pick in the draft. Possible future hall of fame QB. Portland were literally picking players in alphabetical order at that point.

Well, I don't like to call players busts. Especially not this early. But if I had to name names, I'd probably say: Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Tyler Oles Jr, Ben Slothlisberger, Phat Boi, Thubba Bumper, Buck Thornton, Derred De Ville, Magnus Rikiya, Alexander Hamilton II, Zamir Kehla, Eddie Jeeta, Matt Cross, White Goodman, Sebastian Vettel, Cadillac Harris, Shawn Dawkins, Chester Sweets, Kevin Fakon, Stanislaw Koniecpolski, Mo Magic, Acura Skyline, Deshun Jones, Daniel George, Andrew Witten, Ozamataz Buckshank, Kevin Koh, Tatsu Nakamura, Lawrence Bass, Jeffrey Phillips, Sandro Ryeu.

Ready to be graded. 1312 words

[Thor]

How do you feel about how the draft went?

Where else did you see yourself potentially landing?

What are you most looking forward to during the season?

Are you aiming for the NSFL next season or happy to take your time in the DSFL?

Who is your favourite MB TE?

[Billybolo53]

What sort of emotions did you go through on draft night? How do you feel about your new teammates? :p

[Tesla]

How are you enjoying your new locker room?

If you could go back before the draft and do one thing different to try and increase your draft stock, what would it have been?

What is your favorite part of your new team?

[NamelessNate]

Are you upset that you were taken so late in the draft?

What are some things that you can't wait to do with your new teammates?

Favorite kind of sushi?

Lastly, favorite (non-myrtle) beach?

[Briedaqueduc]

So far, who do you think is the best GM? Frost or Cory?

What's your favorite sport? What team do you support from said sport?

Favorite NSFL team branding?

Dogs or cats?

Any picks in the draft that you would consider steals or busts?