New Green Bay Packers CB Brandon Cisse Prides Himself In Being A ‘Complete Corner’
The Green Bay Packers added serious talent to their secondary by selecting South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Drafted 52nd overall, the 20-year-old defensive back brings a unique blend of athleticism, toughness, and determination to the field. This article explores Cisse’s college journey, breaks down his physical playing style, and highlights what scouts and coaches expect from him as he transitions to the professional level.
A Journey Fueled by Determination
Growing up in Sumter, South Carolina, Cisse always wanted to play for his home-state university. However, college recruiters largely overlooked him coming out of high school. Instead of giving up, he took his talents to North Carolina State. He spent two years grinding, playing sparingly at first before earning his way into the defensive back rotation and breaking up five passes.
His hard work paid off when the opportunity arose to transfer back to South Carolina for his final college season. He stepped right in as a full-time starter, playing 12 games and breaking up another five passes. Cisse views his early recruitment struggles as a positive rather than a setback.
“I was kind of under the radar,” he noted about his high school days. “But it all happened for the better and ended up back at South Carolina with a great coaching staff to help develop me. I can’t thank those guys enough.”
What Scouts Say About the Physical Corner
Packers national scout Mike Owen lives near the South Carolina campus and got a firsthand look at Cisse during a practice visit last September. The young corner immediately impressed Owen with his deep knowledge and passion for the game.
Owen praised the 5-foot-11, 189-pound prospect, calling him a “smart, tough, physical corner” who possesses the right mental makeup for the professional ranks. That resilience stems directly from his winding college journey.
“You can feel that chip on his shoulder when you talk to him, about getting overlooked by South Carolina, coming full circle and then really helping his team and helping that defense elevate to a different level,” Owen explained. “You could still see he’s got that chip on his shoulder. He still holds it today. I hope he carries it on as he’s in the NFL.”
Skills and Potential Impact in Green Bay
While Cisse only grabbed two interceptions during his college career, his ability to disrupt plays stands out. He recorded 10 pass breakups over his final 21 games. He excels at the catch point, making life miserable for opposing wide receivers.
“When you see the game clips, he attacks the football,” Owen observed. “He’s aggressive with his hand combat, jarring the ball loose.”
Beyond his pass coverage, Cisse takes massive pride in his run support. He frequently stops ball carriers in their tracks, a trait that he believes makes him a “complete corner.”
In Green Bay, he joins a cornerback room featuring fellow South Carolina alum Keisean Nixon. The rookie will likely compete fiercely for the number two corner spot alongside Carrington Valentine and Benjamin St-Juste, bringing immediate depth and energy to the defense.
Wisconsin Connections and the Road Ahead
Cisse already holds a special tie to his new home state. His girlfriend’s family lives in the Madison area and roots heavily for the Packers. Now, they get to watch him wear the green and gold every Sunday.
Though reaching the pros fulfills a lifelong dream, the young defender knows the real work begins now. He remains laser-focused on improving his craft and proving his worth on the field.
“It’s something I believed since I was a little kid, so it’s just exciting to see it come true,” Cisse said. “But it’s not where the job ends, and just know that I’ve got to take it to another level.”
Watch for Cisse to bring that exact same chip on his shoulder to training camp as he fights to make an immediate impact on the Packers’ defense this season.
