In the Huddle: Purdue linebacker OC Brothers

You know Purdue’s transfer linebacker from Auburn as OC Brothers, but he does have a first name.

Why is No. 8 important to Brothers and why his love for lasagna is a meal he stays away from on game day.

Everyone knows your first name is Octavius but what’s the story behind the name?

I’m named after my dad. I’m actually a Jr. I don’t have it on the back of my jersey.

Do you know why he’s named Octavius?

I do not.

When you learned you were named Octavius, what was your reaction?

Honestly, as a kid growing up, it was very different being named Octavius when everybody else has a name a lot of people have. It took me a while to embrace it, but I embraced it and I like it. It’s different.

But OC is a lot easier for people.

OC is a lot easier than Octavius.

What’s your first football memory?

I remember playing flag football. It’s the reason why I wear No. 8 – it was the very first number I had. We were running late to a flag football game – I think I was six – my mom literally dropped me off at the field so she could park. I ran onto the field, got the ball, and scored a touchdown.

So, you run into the field, they hand you the ball, and score a touchdown.

I put on a belt with the flags, I go onto the field, get the ball and score a touchdown.

Last time you scored a touchdown?

Senior year in high school.

Do you miss …

Scoring touchdowns? Oh, yeah, for sure. I still feel like I can play both sides but that’s up to the coaches. They feel I’m better on defense.

With the No. 8, is that the number they gave you? Have you always been No. 8 since then?

I’ve bounced around. As a kid, I always wanted to be like my favorite player growing up. I had (No.) 7 one year for Michael Vick. I had (No.) 21 for LT (LaDainian Thompson). I had a whole bunch of different numbers depending on who my favorite player was as a kid. In high school, I gravitated toward (No.) 8 because 8 in the Bible means new beginnings. My first name Octavius has eight letters in it. I feel like it was meant to be.

You were not No. 8 when you came here.

I was No. 20.

How did you get No. 8?

When coach Walters got here, I asked him if I could get No. 8. He said yes but was going to wait until after spring practice to finalize everything. I was fortunate enough to get 8. I’m happy I did.

Refresh my memory – who had No. 8 when you got here?

Anthony Watts had (No.) 8 that first year and the second year, me and TJ (Sheffield) were on two special teams together and I stuck with (No.) 8.

Is it comforting to have No. 8 again?

I started playing defense when I had No. 8 in high school. I feel at home when I wear No. 8.

If you’re not playing football, what’s your sport?

I’m not going to lie – I’d probably be a basketball player.

Power forward?

No, I’m like a (shooting guard). I feel like I got the best shot on the team.

In the offseason, do you guys play basketball?

Usually, we’ll just shoot around and stuff like that. It will be light games. We don’t do a lot.

Who are the other good basketball players on the team?

Honestly, Drew Biber – he’s a hooper. Marcus Mbow, he can hoop. Broc (Thompson) can hoop, too.

How many points did you average in high school?

I averaged 18 points.

How would you defend Zach Edey?

I have to use my muscles. I know he’s a big guy, so I’m going to have to contain him and keep him out of the paint and try to get him in foul trouble. That’s all I can do.

Could you get your shot off against Zach Edey?

I think I could give him a couple of head fakes, pump fakes, a little up and under.

What’s your game day routine?

I wake up at the same time no matter when we play around 7 a.m. I pray, I read my word for the day, and I usually call my mom or my dad. If my mom is working, I’ll call my dad and talk to him. I have a playlist I listen to. I like listening to slow music all the way up until I’m getting dressed and then when I get dressed, I ramp it up because it’s time to go.

How long have you been calling your mom or dad on game day?

I’ve been doing that my whole life. In high school, I had to drive 30 minutes to school, and I would talk to them on the way there. In college, it’s been pretty much every game day.

What are those conversations like?

I just like hearing their voice. They support me a lot and being back home in Florida, they can’t make every game. It’s always nice to hear their voice and know they’re going to be watching.

Favorite food?

Lasagna.

Does that factor into your pregame meal?

I actually can’t eat red sauce before I play. I have a superstition because in my very first game here against Oregon State, I ate it, and I threw up before I played. I tried it last year before the first game we played Penn State, and I threw up before we played. I try not to eat red sauce before I play, but I love lasagna.  

If you ate lasagna today, would you throw up?

Today, no. Only on game days. I eat a pregame meal, but I try to keep it light – chicken breast, salad, baked potato and things I can get energy off of.

Do you know why the red sauce thing happens on game day?

I think it’s just a me thing. Red sauce might not sit well in my stomach and when I go out and run and stuff like that.

This isn’t going to kill your love for lasagna.

No. Never. I could eat a whole pan of lasagna.

I would ask you what’s the one thing your teammates don’t know about you, but I assume you’ve covered that. Or is there something else they don’t know about you?

I used to play the drums.

In a band?

No. My cousin and her kids are percussionists. One of them goes to IU. Growing up, I was around them and learned to play the drums.

Purdue FB game 4 prep – Purduesports.com