Brandon Denson was born on July 22, 1987, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.[1] He played high school football at Willow Run High School in Ypsilanti, where he was a three-year starter at running back and cornerback.[1][3] He rushed for 750 yards as a senior, including a career-high 210 yards and three touchdowns in the final game of the season.[3] Denson also played basketball at Willow Run, averaging 4.4 points and 8.7 rebounds as a power forward during the 2004–05 season.[3] He was a four-year starting centerfielder for the baseball team and led the team with ten steals his junior year.[3] He garnered all-conference recognition in track his senior season, participating in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, and long jump.[3] Denson was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes his senior year.[4]
College career
Denson joined the Michigan State Spartans of Michigan State University in 2005 as a walk-on.[4] He redshirted the 2005 season as a running back.[3] He was a four-year letterman from 2006 to 2009.[1] He moved to strong safety in 2006.[3] He played in eight games during the 2006 season, mostly on special teams, and posted two tackles while also returning one punt for 20 yards.[3] Denson appeared in all 13 games in 2007, primarily on special teams, and recorded six solo tackles and four assisted tackles.[3][5] He converted to linebacker in 2008 and played in 12 games, appearing as a Sam linebacker on nickel defense plays and on special teams.[3] That season, he totaled 19 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.[5] Denson played in 12 games, starting ten at Will linebacker, as a senior in 2009, recording 23 solo tackles, 45 assisted tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception.[3][5] He also missed one game due to injury that year.[3] He majored in criminal justice at Michigan State.[3]
Professional career
Denson dressed in four games, starting one, for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2011, totaling five defensive tackles, seven special teams tackles, and one fumble recovery.[1]
Denson was assigned to the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League on June 19, 2012.[7] He was placed on injured reserve on July 2.[7] He was assigned to the Gladiators again on November 1.[7] Denson was placed on physically unable to perform on March 10, 2013, and activated the next day.[7] He was placed on the suspended list on April 2, 2013.[7] He posted six solo tackles and six assisted tackles for the Gladiators during the 2013 season.[8] He was placed on reassignment on June 11, 2014.[7]
Denson spent most of the 2013 CFL season on the practice roster of the Montreal Alouettes.[9] However, he did end up dressing for one game, where he did not record any statistics.[1]
Denson signed with the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks in January 2014.[9] On June 10, 2014, it was reported that Denson had been released.[10]
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