This is the seventh in our series of articles taking a deeper dive using data and game with the use of data and game film into the Giants' 2020 draft class. We have already studied Andrew Thomas, Xavier McKinney, Matt Peart, Shane Lemieux, Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin. Here is a look at seventh round pick TJ Brunson, linebacker out of South Carolina.
Athletic Traits
Brunson was not invited to the NFL Combine. At the Senior Bowl, he measured 6-0 and 219 pounds, which is considered on the smaller side for a linebacker. At South Carolina, his listed playing weight was 230 pounds. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was not able to have a Pro Day. Without scores for athletic testing, there are no methods to measure his athletic ability relative to other players.
College History (Advanced Production Numbers Courtesy of Pro Football Focus)
2016: True Freshman Season – 11 games, no starts (95 of his 169 snaps can on Special Teams)
PFF Numbers: 12 tackles
2017: Sophomore Season – 13 games started at linebacker
PFF Numbers: 88 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, 7 QB hurries
2018: Junior Season – 13 games started at linebacker, Team Captain, led team in tackles and tackles for loss
PFF Numbers: 106 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defended, 4 sacks, 4 QB hits, 5 QB hurries, 1 forced incompletion
2019: Senior Season – 12 game started at linebacker, Team Captain
PFF Numbers: 77 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended, 1 interception, 0 sacks, 4 QB hits, 3 QB hurries, 3 forced incompletions
TJ Brunson attended the Senior Bowl.
Overall: 7th round or UDFA projection on PFF Draft Board.
Injuries: He had hip surgery after his junior season, according to Pro Football Focus. He played every game in his last three seasons.
Athletic Background: 3 star linebacker from South Carolina. Graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies in December 2019.
View photos of the entire 10-member New York Giants 2020 Draft Class
GEORGIA OT ANDREW THOMAS
ALABAMA SAFETY XAVIER MCKINNEY
UCONN OT MATT PEART
UCLA CB Darnay Holmes
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon Guard Shane Lemieux
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Penn State LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Minnesota CB Chris Williamson
(AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Georgia LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/John Amis)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) plays against Missouri during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) is shown in action against South Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Athensw. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) is shown in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Murray State Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Nashville, Tenn. Thomas was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) pursues against the Vanderbilt Commodores during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Georgia won 30-6. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) prepares for action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) lines up against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
S Xavier McKinney
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) knocks the football loose from Auburn running back JaTarvious Whitlow (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) calls a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, in College Station, Texas. McKinney was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney heads to the bench during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Marvin Gentry)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) reacts to the refs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage in front of Central Florida defensive lineman Landon Woodson (93) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) runs on to the field during senior day festivities before the start of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stephen Dunn)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA's Darnay Holmes (1) returns a kick against Memphis in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
UCLA Bruins defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes returns a kick while Texas A&M linebackers Braden White and Buddy Johnson tackle him during an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 45-44. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona defeated UCLA 20-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux (68) in between drills before the start of an NCAA college football game against Stanford on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux (68) blocks against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. Oregon won 21-6. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux (68) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers' Gus Edwards (13) gets knocked out of bounds before crossing the goal line by Penn State's Cam Brown (6) and Parker Cothren (41) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Penn State linebacker Cam Brown (6) hits Indiana running back Ricky Brookins (33) to break up a pass play during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) gets off a pass under pressure by Penn State linebacker Cam Brown (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia Southern quarterback Justin Tomlin (17) passes while under the pressure of Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) on field against Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue tight end Garrett Miller (88) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) during an NCAA college football game against New Mexico State,Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Missouri wide receiver Emanuel Hall, right, runs past South Carolina's T.J. Brunson, left, during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, file photo, Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) scrambles from the pocket against South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Columbia, S.C. Clemson's Kelly Bryant and Miami's Malik Rosier are longtime backups blossoming as starters. One of them will celebrate an ACC championship when the top-ranked Tigers faced No. 7 Hurricanes on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) scores a two-point conversion against South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson, left, and defensive lineman Jabari Ellis in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. North Carolina won 24-20. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) looks for a receiver as he is rushed by South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson (6) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Minnesota's defensive back Chris Williamson (6) during the first half of a college football game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota's defensive back Chris Williamson (6) sacks Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Minneapolis. Northwestern won 24-14. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota defensive back Chris Williamson (6) tips the ball in the end zone away from the arms of Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler (1) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 31-26. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini, left, dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Minnesota defensive back Chris Williamson trails during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Baylor running back Trestan Ebner (25) loses the ball on a pass play while being hit by Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) which Georgia intercepted in the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Left is Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17). (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) moves near Notre Dame offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer (78) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) comes up celebrating after Missouri wide receiver C.J. Boone (10) is brought down during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Film Study
Brunson played primarily as an inside MIKE linebacker in South Carolina's scheme. Here are some of his attributes that jump off his tape.
Brunson is always looking to lay a big hit on opposing players. On our first play, he nails Georgia's D'Andre Swift with an outstanding form tackle after a short catch.
On this play, Brunson does not wrap up, but he does lower his shoulder into a scrambling quarterback, sending him flying.
Brunson is always trying to get downhill at full speed, an aggressive style of play. Here, he shows his ability to read and shoot the gap. He beat the center to the hole (with the help of a small jersey tug from his defensive lineman) and tackles the running back in the backfield for a significant loss.
Here's another play on an inside run. He uses his quickness to avoid the Georgia center to tackle D'Andre Swift at the line of scrimmage.
On this play, Brunson uses his speed to beat the offensive linemen to their blocks to get the tackle for loss on the outside screen.
Despite his small size, Brunson showed on this goal line play that he can take on a blocker and make a play. He sets the edge and makes the tackle to prevent the touchdown.
On this outside run, Brunson gets pushed back by the offensive lineman, but maintains his balances and still makes the tackle on the outside run.
Brunson also makes tackles in space when he slows down. Here, he finds the scrambling quarterback for the solo tackle. He does well to remain in his zone defense until the quarterback commits to running.
He makes a good solo tackle on a receiver in space on this play, coming down and wrapping him up around the legs.
Brunson shows good awareness in some zone coverages. He drops to proper depth and gets his hand up to knock away the pass.
He showed excellent discipline and athleticism on this reverse flea-flicker. Despite the trickery, he gets into coverage on the tight end that is his responsibility and knocks the pass away.
Brunson also showed pass rush ability. Here, he uses his quickness to beat the overaggressive running block in pass protection. He doesn't get the sack but pushes the quarterback into his teammate.
Brunson may not be the biggest linebacker, but his tape shows an aggressive, downhill player who always plays full speed and is a big hitter. He profiles as someone who should be perfect as a core special teams player to start his career and could grow into something more as he continues to improve.
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