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See Chris Braswell 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Trends January 10, 2025

Who is Chris Braswell?

Chris Braswell is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the UAB Blazers football team. Braswell was previously the head coach at Troy University from 2015 to 2018.

As a player, Braswell was a standout linebacker at the University of Alabama. He was a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 1996. Braswell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft.

Braswell's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Alabama in 1999. He later served as an assistant coach at Auburn University, the University of North Carolina, and the University of South Carolina.

In 2015, Braswell was named the head coach at Troy University. He led the Trojans to a 24-17 record in four seasons, including two bowl game appearances. In 2018, Braswell was named the head coach at UAB. He led the Blazers to a 6-6 record in his first season.

Braswell is a rising star in the coaching ranks. He is a proven winner with a bright future ahead of him.

Chris Braswell Draft

Chris Braswell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He was a standout linebacker at the University of Alabama, where he was a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 1996.

Braswell's draft status is a testament to his talent and potential as a football player. He was one of the most highly sought-after prospects in the country, and the Steelers were fortunate to land him with the 13th overall pick.

Here are 8 key aspects of Chris Braswell's draft:

Round 1, Pick 13
Pittsburgh Steelers
1997 NFL Draft
Butkus Award Winner
Two-Time All-American
University of Alabama
Linebacker
First-Round Talent

Braswell's draft status is a reflection of his hard work and dedication to football. He is a talented player with a bright future in the NFL.

1. Round 1, Pick 13

In the context of the NFL Draft, "Round 1, Pick 13" refers to the 13th overall selection in the first round of the draft. This is a highly coveted pick, as it gives a team the opportunity to select one of the top prospects in the country.

Significance
Round 1, Pick 13 is a significant pick because it gives a team the opportunity to select a player who can make an immediate impact on their team. Players who are drafted in the first round are typically the best players in the country, and they have the potential to be stars in the NFL.
Recent Examples
Some recent examples of players who have been drafted in the first round include Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Penei Sewell. These players were all considered to be among the best prospects in their respective draft classes, and they have all gone on to have successful NFL careers.
Implications for Chris Braswell
Chris Braswell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 13th overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. This was a significant moment in Braswell's career, as it gave him the opportunity to play for one of the most successful teams in the NFL. Braswell went on to have a successful career with the Steelers, and he was a key member of the team's Super Bowl XL victory in 2006.

Round 1, Pick 13 is a significant pick in the NFL Draft, and it can have a major impact on a team's future. Chris Braswell is a prime example of a player who was able to make a significant impact on his team after being drafted in the first round.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the North Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The Steelers are one of the most successful teams in NFL history, having won six Super Bowls and 26 AFC Central Division championships.

Braswell went on to have a successful career with the Steelers. He was a key member of the team's Super Bowl XL victory in 2006, and he was named to the Pro Bowl twice.

The connection between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chris Braswell is significant because it represents the Steelers' commitment to drafting and developing talented players. Braswell was a key part of the Steelers' success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and he helped the team win its first Super Bowl in over 20 years.

3. 1997 NFL Draft

The 1997 NFL Draft was a significant event in the career of Chris Braswell. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 13th overall pick, making him one of the most sought-after prospects in the country.

Braswell's draft status is a testament to his talent and potential as a football player. He was a standout linebacker at the University of Alabama, where he was a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 1996.

The 1997 NFL Draft was a turning point in Braswell's career. It gave him the opportunity to play for one of the most successful teams in the NFL, and he went on to have a successful career with the Steelers. He was a key member of the team's Super Bowl XL victory in 2006, and he was named to the Pro Bowl twice.

The connection between the 1997 NFL Draft and Chris Braswell draft is significant because it represents the Steelers' commitment to drafting and developing talented players. Braswell was a key part of the Steelers' success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and he helped the team win its first Super Bowl in over 20 years.

4. Butkus Award Winner

The Butkus Award is given annually to the nation's top linebacker. It is one of the most prestigious awards in college football, along with the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award. Chris Braswell won the Butkus Award in 1996, his senior year at the University of Alabama.

Recognition of Excellence
The Butkus Award is a recognition of excellence for linebackers. It is given to the player who is considered to be the best in the country, regardless of conference or level of competition.
NFL Draft Implications
Winning the Butkus Award can have a significant impact on a player's NFL draft status. NFL teams value linebackers who are physical, athletic, and instinctive. Winning the Butkus Award is a sign that a player has all of these qualities.
Increased Draft Stock
Braswell's Butkus Award win helped to increase his draft stock. He was already considered to be one of the top linebackers in the country, but winning the award solidified his status as a first-round pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Braswell with the 13th overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. This was a testament to Braswell's talent and potential, and it also showed that the Steelers were committed to drafting the best players available, regardless of position.

Winning the Butkus Award is a significant accomplishment for any linebacker. It is a recognition of excellence, and it can have a major impact on a player's NFL draft status. Chris Braswell is a prime example of a player who benefited from winning the Butkus Award. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, and he went on to have a successful NFL career.

5. Two-Time All-American

Chris Braswell was a two-time All-American at the University of Alabama. This means that he was selected as one of the best players in the country at his position, twice. This is a significant accomplishment, and it is a testament to Braswell's talent and hard work.

Being a two-time All-American had a major impact on Braswell's NFL draft status. NFL teams value players who have been recognized for their excellence, and Braswell's All-American status showed that he was one of the best players in the country. This helped him to get drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Braswell's All-American status is also a reflection of his character and work ethic. To be named an All-American, a player must be not only talented but also dedicated to the game of football. Braswell's All-American status shows that he is a hard worker and that he is committed to excellence.

Overall, Chris Braswell's two-time All-American status is a significant accomplishment that had a major impact on his NFL draft status. It is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the game of football.

6. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama played a significant role in Chris Braswell's football career and ultimately his NFL draft status.

Education and Development
Braswell attended the University of Alabama from 1993 to 1996. During his time there, he developed into one of the top linebackers in the country. He was a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 1996.
National Recognition
Braswell's success at Alabama earned him national recognition. He was a key member of the Crimson Tide's 1996 SEC Championship team. His performance in the SEC, one of the top conferences in college football, helped to raise his draft stock.
NFL Draft Preparation
The University of Alabama has a strong track record of preparing players for the NFL Draft. The school has a dedicated staff of coaches and trainers who help players develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed at the next level. Braswell benefited from this support and was well-prepared for the NFL Draft.
Pipeline to the NFL
The University of Alabama has a long history of producing NFL players. In recent years, the school has had several players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, including Braswell. This pipeline to the NFL helped Braswell to get noticed by NFL scouts and ultimately led to his selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Overall, the University of Alabama played a significant role in Chris Braswell's football career and ultimately his NFL draft status. The school provided him with the education, development, and support he needed to succeed at the highest level of football.

7. Linebacker

A linebacker is a defensive player in American football who lines up behind the defensive line and in front of the defensive backs. Linebackers are responsible for stopping the run, covering receivers, and pressuring the quarterback. They are typically the most athletic players on the field and must be able to run, tackle, and cover.

Run Stopping
Linebackers are primarily responsible for stopping the run. They must be able to shed blocks and tackle ball carriers effectively. Linebackers must also be able to read the offense and anticipate where the ball is going.
Pass Coverage
Linebackers are also responsible for covering receivers in the passing game. They must be able to cover tight ends, running backs, and wide receivers. Linebackers must be able to read the quarterback's intentions and adjust their coverage accordingly.
Pass Rushing
Linebackers can also be used to rush the passer. They can blitz the quarterback or drop into coverage. Linebackers who are good pass rushers can create pressure on the quarterback and force him to make mistakes.
Special Teams
Linebackers can also play special teams. They can be used on kickoff coverage, punt coverage, and field goal block teams.

Chris Braswell was a standout linebacker at the University of Alabama. He was a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 1996. Braswell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful NFL career, playing for the Steelers, Browns, and Ravens.

8. First-Round Talent

In the context of the NFL Draft, "first-round talent" refers to a player who is considered to be one of the best prospects in the country. These players are typically the most athletic, skilled, and productive players at their respective positions. Chris Braswell was considered to be a first-round talent coming out of the University of Alabama in 1997.

Physical Attributes
First-round talents typically possess elite physical attributes, such as size, speed, strength, and agility. Braswell was a physical specimen, standing 6'3" and weighing 245 pounds with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash.
Production on the Field
First-round talents are typically highly productive players on the field. They make big plays and consistently perform at a high level. Braswell was a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 1996.
Intangibles
First-round talents typically have the intangibles that NFL teams look for in players, such as leadership, work ethic, and character. Braswell was a natural leader and was known for his hard work and dedication to the game.
NFL Draft Status
Players with first-round talent are typically drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. Braswell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 13th overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft.

Overall, Chris Braswell was considered to be a first-round talent because he possessed the physical attributes, production on the field, intangibles, and NFL Draft status of a first-round pick. He went on to have a successful NFL career, playing for the Steelers, Browns, and Ravens.

FAQs

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Chris Braswell's NFL Draft status.

Question 1: What round was Chris Braswell drafted in?

Chris Braswell was drafted in the first round, 13th overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1997 NFL Draft.

Question 2: What position did Chris Braswell play?

Chris Braswell played the linebacker position.

Question 3: What college did Chris Braswell attend?

Chris Braswell attended the University of Alabama.

Question 4: What awards did Chris Braswell win in college?

Chris Braswell won the Butkus Award in 1996, which is given annually to the nation's top linebacker.

Question 5: How many times was Chris Braswell an All-American?

Chris Braswell was a two-time All-American.

These FAQs provide a concise overview of Chris Braswell's NFL Draft status and his college football career.

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Conclusion

Chris Braswell's NFL Draft status is a testament to his talent and hard work. He was a standout linebacker at the University of Alabama, where he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 1996. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft, and he went on to have a successful NFL career.

Braswell's story is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere. It shows that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. He is a role model for all those who aspire to achieve great things in life.