Detroit Lions select Hepburn in seventh round of NFL Draft

On Saturday, former FAMU linebacker Brandon Hepburn joined Ken Riley, Earl Holmes, JaJuan Seider, and Curtis Holcomb as a Rattler who went from The Hill to the NFL Draft stage. The Detroit Lions welcomed the New York native aboard with the 245th selection during the seventh round. 

Hepburn impressed NFL scouts with a stellar senior season.  On the field, he was the team's leading tackler and the captain of the defense.

The 6 foot 2, 240 pound Rattler standout also ran one of the best 40-yard dash times for inside linebackers during this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

According to DetroitLions.com, General Manager Martin Mayhew said he discussed his interest in Hepburn with FAMU Head Coach Earl Holmes, who was a Detroit linebacker from 2003 to 2005. Holmes’ glowing praise for Hepburn helped sealed the deal.

“We spoke to him at the combine and he’s a very impressive young man,” Mayhew said. “I spoke to his head coach today [Saturday, April 27], Earl Holmes, who played here. Once I spoke to Earl I really wanted to draft him. Earl was talking about the player he is and talking about how the kid could help us.”

Hepburn graduated from FAMU in 2012 with a B.S. in biochemistry. He has stated that the combination goes toward his goal of one day owning a biochemical company.