Washington LB Carson Bruener Readies For Next Challenge at NFL Combine
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Dealing with change is one thing that will not be an issue for Carson Bruener as the former Washington linebacker prepares for the NFL draft.
Though it all happened with the Huskies and he never hit the transfer portal as many players do in modern college football, Bruener has played for three coaching staffs, a bad team, a few decent squads hovering around .500, and one that played for the National Championship.
Each of UW’s coaching staffs found ways to unleash Bruener on opponents. Now he looks to land with an NFL team that will do the same as he prepares to perform drills and get poked and prodded both physically and verbally at the NFL Combine this week. He believes he’s ready for it all.
“The biggest thing is taking it one day at a time and being where your feet are at — not looking too far in advance,” Bruener said. “Because if you do that it could have brought a lot of challenges. You could get used to one defense, used to a coaching staff, and they’ll leave and you’ll get a little shook.”
Bruener was recruited initially by former Washington coach Chris Petersen, then played for the first time during a mess of a 4-8 season that led to the firing of Jimmy Lake. Next up was Kalen DeBoer’s pair of strong seasons, culminated by an appearance in the national title game at the end of the 2023 season. DeBoer took off for Alabama, and suddenly he was dealing with another round of changes.
Bruener, who measured at just under 6-1 and weighed in at 223 pounds at the combine, believes his ability to adapt along with other intangibles will lead to him being able to contribute in the NFL. Generally projected as a late Day 3 draft pick, the All-Big Ten third-teamer led the Huskies with 103 tackles and recorded three interceptions during his senior season.
Bruener made his mark on special teams early in his Huskies career, something that could serve him well as he battles to earn a roster spot. He credited his dad — current Pittsburgh Steelers scout and former legendary UW tight end Mark Bruener — with preparing him for the combine. He’s worked on long-snapping at the suggestion of his mother to maximize his pro chances.
It can be a tough road for a late-round pick in the league. Some will be released before the season and never play in a regular-season game. Then there are sixth-round draft picks like Tom Brady, or lesser-known sixth-round picks such as Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea, who became a starter as a rookie last season.
But make no mistake. Bruener intends to prove he’s an every-down player in the NFL.
“I feel like I’m a sideline-to-sideline player,” Bruener said when asked by the Emerald City Spectrum about what he’s saying to NFL teams regarding how he can contribute. “I can read plays really well and go and execute my plays. The biggest thing is being able to control and lead the defense. … With my leadership out there, I feel like I’m able to upgrade people.”
Bruener watched after his junior season as 12 of his teammates received invites to the 2024 combine — a record for number of players from one school. He’s the lone Dawg at Lucas Oil Stadium this week, representing a young UW program after head coach Jedd Fisch’s first season ended with a 6-7 record.
The draft and transfer portal departures after Deboer bolted forced Bruener to become even more of a vocal leader. He also bought into Fisch’s emphasis on creating an NFL-like model during his final season in Montlake.
“The biggest thing that we always talked about was being pro,” Bruener said. “We (the Huskies) are the 33rd NFL team. That was the motto that we really took day in and day out. We had a lot of NFL guys coming through the building. A lot of legends. Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll — those were people that I was able to go off on the side and talk to, ask for advice. I feel like it really helped us out.”
Though NFL general managers will focus mostly on the film they watch — a likely benefit for Bruener — the combine will give them a better sense of a player’s overall physical traits. It’s also a chance to talk to potential draft picks and learn about their personalities.
It all begins for Bruener Thursday at noon when the linebacker drills are televised on the NFL Network.
