Sam Brenner

This article is about the American football player. For the 2015 film whose protagonist has this name, see Pixels (2015 film).

Sam Brenner

No. 65, 67
Position:	Center
Personal information
Born:	(1990-04-27) April 27, 1990 (age 31) Oceanside, California
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:	Oceanside (Oceanside, California)
College:	Utah
Undrafted:	2013
Career history
Miami Dolphins (2013–2015) Denver Broncos (2015–2016)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl Champion (50) Second-team All-Pac-12 (2012)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2015
Games played: 10 Games started: 4
Player stats at NFL.com

Samuel Callaghan Brenner (born April 27, 1990 in Oceanside, California) is a former American football center. He was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Brenner played college football at Utah.

Early years

Brenner played high school football at Oceanside High School in California, where he was a two-time all-league selection and a second-team all-state selection as a senior in 2007. ^[1] He was twice named his team's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman and played in the California All-Star Game following his senior season. He was named a scholar leader athlete by the Walter J Zable/ San Diego chapter of the National Football and College Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was a finalist in the county wide Silver Pigskin, the first offensive lineman ever so honored by the voting coaches and sports reporters. ^[1] Brenner's team won the 2007 California Division II State Bowl. ^[1]

As a college prospect, Brenner was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 50 offensive guard in the country and the No. 88 overall prospect in the state of California. ^[2]

College career

Although Brenner signed with the University of Utah in 2008, he did not enroll until January 2009. ^[1] As a true freshman, Brenner played primarily on special teams in all 13 games and added 53 snaps on offense. ^[1] As a sophomore in 2010, Brenner served as the team's top backup offensive lineman and started at left tackle in the team's Las Vegas Bowl loss to Boise State. ^[1]

Brenner started 12 games at right guard and one at tackle as a junior in 2011, grading out as the team's best offensive lineman in five games and ranking second on the team in total snaps despite exiting the season finale with a neck injury. ^[1] As a senior in 2012, he started the first two games at right guard followed by 10 at left tackle, allowing just one sack on his way to second-team All-Pac-12 honors. ^[1]

Professional career

2013 NFL Draft

At Utah's Pro Day prior to the 2013 NFL Draft, Brenner ran a 5.03 40-yard dash and did 29 bench reps of 225 pounds. ^[3] He was regarded as a late-round or undrafted prospect, drawing style comparisons to Zane Beadles and T. J. Lang. ^{[4] [5] [6]} After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Brenner signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. ^[7]

Miami Dolphins

Brenner entered his first pro training camp as the lone backup at center behind Mike Pouncey, facing competition from second-year guard Josh Samuda. ^[3] He was released by the team during final cuts before the regular season and was re-signed to the practice squad on September 2. ^[8] After 10 weeks on the practice squad, Brenner was promoted to the active roster, replacing offensive tackle Will Yeatman, who was placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and providing depth at center with starter Mike Pouncey listed as questionable for the team's Week 11 contest with an illness. ^[9]

On September 5, 2015, Brenner was waived by the Dolphins. ^[10] On the following day, he was signed to the Dolphins' practice squad. ^[11] On September 11, 2015, he was promoted to the Dolphins' active roster. ^[12] On September 14, 2015, Brenner was waived by the Dolphins. ^[13] On September 16, 2015, he was re-signed to the Dolphins' practice squad. ^[14] On September 26, 2015, Brenner was promoted to the Dolphins active roster. ^[15] On November 7, 2015, Brenner was waived by the Dolphins. On November 10, 2015, he was re-signed by the Dolphins. On November 17, 2015, Brenner was waived by the Dolphins.

Denver Broncos

On November 18, 2015, Brenner was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos.

In the 2015 season, the Broncos made Super Bowl 50, but Brenner was inactive for the game. ^[16] The Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 24–10. ^[17]

Brenner was placed on injured reserve on August 5, 2016.

Personal life

Brenner is the son of Jim Brenner and Eileen Malik, who both served in the United States Marine Corps. ^[1] Brenner's father swam collegiately at the University of Buffalo, while his mother played soccer and lacrosse at Castleton State college and college basketball at Cal State San Bernardino. ^[1] Brenner is bilingual with Spanish being his second language.

References

1. "Sam Brenner Profile". UtahUtes.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
2. "Sam Brenner". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
3. "Dolphins Roster Breakdown: Sam Brenner". ThePhinsider.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
4. "Sam Brenner, OG, Utah, NFL Draft". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
5. "Sam Brenner, Utah, OG : 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
6. "Sam Brenner Draft Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
7. "Dolphins Sign 19 Undrafted College Free Agents". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
8. "Dolphins roster cuts: All 22 players released for Miami to reach 53-man roster limit". ThePhinsider.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
9. "Dolphins promote center Sam Brenner from practice squad". ProFootballTalk.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
10. Nogle, Kevin (September 5, 2015). "Dolphins roster cuts: All 53-man roster cuts confirmed by Miami". The Phinsider. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
11. Nogle, Kevin (September 6, 2015). "Dolphins practice squad 2015: Team confirms eight of ten spots". The Phinsider. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
12. Nogle, Kevin (September 11, 2015). "Dolphins promote Jonas Gray to 53-man roster; Sam Brenner called up as well". The Phinsider. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
13. Nogle, Kevin (September 14, 2015). "Dolphins sign Jacques McClendon, waive Sam Brenner, Jonas Gray". The Phinsider. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
14. Kelly, Omar (September 16, 2015). "Three Dolphins defensive ends nursing injuries". Sun Sentinel . Retrieved October 8, 2015.
15. Perkins, Chris (September 26, 2015). "Dolphins sign Sam Brenner from practice squad, waive Jacques McClendon". Sun Sentinel . Retrieved October 9, 2015.
16. Swanson, Ben (February 7, 2016). "Gameday Inactives: Broncos in Super Bowl 50". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
17. "Super Bowl 50 - Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - February 7th, 2016". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2016.

External links

• Miami Dolphins bio
• Utah Utes bio