EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Brewer is an imposing figure on the football field, but in five seasons at Indiana, he managed to play the entire season's schedule only once, during his junior campaign in 2009. A foot injury wiped out what would have been his first varsity season in 2007.
He returned to action the following season, but carried over 40 pounds of excess weight and that led to ankle woes that would force him to the sidelines for the last third of the regular season schedule. Ankle problems struck again during Brewer's senior season, costing him playing time for three mid-season games.
Brewer was a well-traveled high school athlete, playing football as a freshman at Warren Central High School. He gave up the sport to concentrate on basketball while attending Lawrence Central High during his sophomore and junior campaigns. As a senior, he again went the transfer route, arriving at Arlington High, where he revived his football career.
In 2005, he started at offensive guard, earning a two-star prospect rating from Rivals.com and Scout.com. He was also named to the Class 5A All-State team and received All-Star football honors from the Indianapolis Star.
Brewer enrolled at Indiana University as a 295-pound freshman in 2006, but spent the season performing with the scout team. He competed for a reserve job on the offensive line in 2007, but a foot injury in fall camp forced the youngster to spend another season on the sidelines.
Brewer finally got his opportunity to play for the Hoosiers in 2008, but with his weight having ballooned to 336 pounds, he was relegated to reserve duty behind Mike Stark at right offensive tackle for Indiana's first eight games. He sat out the team's final four contests due to a high ankle sprain.
As a junior in 2009, Brewer had his first relatively injury-free campaign, starting all twelve contests at right tackle. He teamed with left tackle Rodger Saffold (2010 NFL Draft second round pick by St. Louis) to give the Hoosiers a formidable set of bookend tackles. They led an offensive line that allowed just sixteen sacks for the season, which ranked 23rd in the nation (1.33 spg). His ability to protect the pocket allowed the squad to average 247.92 aerial yards a game, a vast improvement from the previous season's average of 181.25 yards.
Brewer received the team's Don Howell Award, given to the Hoosiers outstanding offensive lineman, and was an All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention in 2010. He started nine games at right tackle, missing three mid-season contests with an ankle sprain. He helped the Hoosiers continue to improve its passing game, as he led a front wall that finished 15th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.00 spg), as Indiana led the conference and ranked fourth in the NCAA ranks with an average of 333.69 yards passing per game. The team also averaged 482.54 total yards, the ninth-best figure in the nation.
CAREER NOTES
Injuries limited Brewer to appearances in just 29 games during his Indiana career, but he earned 21 starting assignments at right offensive tackle, all coming during his final two seasons…As a starter, he registered 162 knockdowns and produced sixteen touchdown-resulting blocks.
2010 SEASON
Brewer received the Don Howell "Outstanding Offensive Lineman" Award, given to the team's top blocker in memory of Don Howell…Also received All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention from the league's coaches and media…Started nine games at right offensive tackle, sitting out three mid-season contests vs. Ohio State, Arkansas State and Illinois due to an ankle sprain suffered in the Michigan clash…Still managed to lead the team with a career-high 87 knockdowns, adding nine touchdown-resulting blocks while leading a front wall that gave up just twelve quarterback sacks, ranking third in the league and 15th in the nation with an average of just 1.00 sacks allowed per game…While the Hoosiers failed to establish a running game (ranked 112th among 120 major colleges with an average of just 100.33 yards per game on the ground), Brewer provided stellar pass protection for an offense that led the Big Ten and finished 14th nationally with an average of 287.17 aerial yards per game…Indiana averaged 387.5 total yards per contest, as the team surpassed 300 yards passing six times, including three 350-plus yard performances.
2009 SEASON
Brewer started all twelve games at right offensive tackle, teaming with All-American left tackle Rodger Saffold to lead an offensive line that allowed only sixteen sacks, ranking third in the Big Ten Conference and 28th nationally for fewest sacks allowed (1.33 spg)…
Delivered 75 knockdowns, coming up with seven touchdown-resulting blocks as the team averaged 247.92 yards passing and 365.0 total yards per game.
2008 SEASON
After two years of inactivity, Brewer saw action as a reserve right offensive tackle in the team's first eight games, but struggled with weight issues and eventually sat out the Hoosiers' final four contests due to a severely sprained ankle.
2007 SEASON
Brewer was forced to miss the season with a foot injury.
2006 SEASON
Red-shirted as a freshman…Dealt with a mid-foot sprain while competing for the scout team.
INJURY REPORT
2006-07 Seasons…Missed both seasons while dealing with foot problems.
2008 Season…Sat out the team's final four games vs. Central Michigan (11/01), Wisconsin (11/08), Penn State (11/15) and Purdue (11/22) with an ankle sprain.
2010 Season…Brewer was again hampered by ankle issues, as he hurt his leg vs. Michigan (10/02), sitting out the following three games vs. Ohio State (10/09), Arkansas State (10/16) and Illinois (10/23).
HIGH SCHOOL
Brewer attended Arlington (Indianapolis, Ind.) High School as a senior, playing football for head coach Rob Patchett…In 2005, he started at offensive guard, earning a two-star prospect rating from Rivals.com and Scout.com…Also named to the Class 5A All-State team and received All-Star football honors from the Indianapolis Star…Competed for the football team as a freshman at Warren Central High School…Gave up the sport to concentrate on basketball while attending Lawrence Central High during his sophomore and junior campaigns.
PERSONAL
General Studies major…Son of Neitra Squires and James A. Brewer…Born James Da'One Brewer on 12/23/87…Resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.
