Where Are They Now?: Brandon Landers

Brandon Landers reports Aug. 1 for the final year of football he never had.

Only instead of playing at Grambling, where he ranks third all-time among passers, he’s headed to Shaw — a North Carolina Division II program.

“I had good long talk with them this weekend, and we touched base on a lot of things,” he said.

Landers lost his eligibility at GSU on the eve of the 2008 season, apparently stalling a football career that saw a pair of district titles in high school, then a divisional crown and an appearance in a conference championship game in college.

But he kept working toward a criminal justice degree, graduating from Grambling in December. By then, Landers had already made plans to play for Shaw.

“I’ve been running, and staying in shape,” Landers told me, “just making sure I am ready for anything they had for me.”

Shaw, coming off its second consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship, is led by former Jackson State coach Darrell Asberry. His staff includes ex-GSU running back Vyron Brown, an assistant at Grambling during Landers’ tenure.

“The offense reminds of (the one run by former GSU head coach Melvin) Spears,” said Landers, who attended Shaw’s homecoming contest last season. “There are a lot of five-wide formations, a run-and-shoot look. They want to throw the ball up and down the field. When (Asberry) was at Jackson State, they had the same kind of wide-open offense.”

Landers was a Monroe-area high school offensive player of the year in 2003 after his senior season at Carroll High, finishing with 2,302 career yards and 16 TDs on 140-for-245 attempts, along with 48 career tackles five interceptions. He also made important contributions on defense as the Bulldogs claimed consecutive District 2-3A crowns.

He originally signed with former Grambling coach Doug Williams, then was thrust into the starting role when GSU’s starter went down during the 2004 season opener.

Landers helped Grambling to a win in the Bayou Classic that season, earning both Southwestern Athletic Conference and Louisiana Sports Writers Association freshman of the year honors after breaking the school’s single-season passing yards record for a freshman, set by Williams in 1974.

Landers then redshirted, returning to the starter’s role in 2006-07 — a stint that included Grambling’s fifth appearance in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game since 2000.

He left the program with 7,024 career yards, needing just 1,388 to pass Williams for second place in career passing yards at GSU.

Along the way, Landers interned with Ouachita Parish Marshal Wince Highshaw Jr. — a stint that included serving warrants and working court security. He spent this offseason preparing for certification as a state trooper, a path he plans to continue down once his time at Shaw is over.

“After I get my masters,” Landers said, “I’ll turn my attention back to law enforcement.”

GET IN THE GAME:
Catch up with memorable players from the Grambling football legacy …
Where Are They Now?: DeCarlos Holmes
Where Are They Now?: Shawn Burras
Where Are They Now?: Randy Hymes
Where Are They Now?: Frank Lewis
Where Are They Now?: Andre Bennett