Brewer finding ways off the football field to stay sharp

It's no secret how good Middle Tennessee's offense was last season and so far in 2016.

Last year, the Blue Raiders set school records in points and total yards, among several more offensive categories, and this season they are on pace to be even better.

It's impossible to have an offense as potent as Middle Tennessee's without a great offensive line, and the Blue Raiders are lucky to have an experienced, healthy group this season. One of its most productive members is actually its youngest in right guard Chandler Brewer.

The sophomore from Florence, Alabama was an important piece to the offensive puzzle for the Blue Raiders last season as a freshman. He was third among linemen with 875 snaps played and earned All-Conference USA Freshman Team honors.

Having a freshman step into a talented offensive line and perform the way Brewer did last season is rare, but it was no surprise according to offensive line coach Mike Polly because of Brewer's physical tools and his upbringing. At 6-foot-6, 319 pounds, he isn't your typical 19 or 20 year old.

"Physically, he's a mature kid," Polly said. "He's been a worker for a long, long time, and I'm not just talking about out here, but I mean physical labor. One of the biggest differences between high school and college is the stresses on your body from playing college ball, but he was able to handle it. That's a testament to him and his parents and the way that he was raised."

To go along with his physical attributes, Brewer has added leadership ability this season.

"This year I feel like I've carried on more of a leadership role," he said. "Last year, coming in as a freshman, I had a lot of people to look up to and a lot to prove. This year I feel like I've proven it."

Off the field, Brewer has found a way to stay sharp and focused by getting away from the football field.

He has always been an outdoorsman who loves to hunt and fish, but he also does things a little uniquely. When Brewer was 14 years old, he came across an interesting way to cast a line.

"When I was 14, I was camping and a guy asked me to go bow fishing with him," he said. "I fell in love with it right away."

Bow fishing is exactly what it sounds like. It involves getting onto a boat or into shallow water and finding fish that are hanging out in the shallows. Then you string your bow, fire and hope you hit your target.

Not only has bow fishing been a way to escape the stresses of football for Brewer, but it has also turned into a bonding experience for the offensive line.

"This last year we got our own boat and I took some of our other offensive line guys out, and they loved it," he said. "It's definitely going to be something in the future to get some guys out there and get closer."

Looking ahead with C-USA rival WKU coming to Murfreesboro for homecoming on Saturday and beyond this season, Brewer said the line and the offense as a whole will be successful if they can keep up the momentum they gained in their first five games before last week's bye.

"We just have to come every week and work like we have something to prove," he said. "Off this bye week we have to have the same mentality we had before the bye week. WKU is next, and that's what we're focused on."

While he is on the field, you know Brewer's mind will be on stopping the Hilltoppers' defensive line. Once the game is over, though, you just might find him in the water, bow in hand.

Middle Tennesee State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Chandler Brewer

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