Jacksonville State University Athletics

JSU CAREER
2014: Sat out the 2014 season.

2013: Started all 14 games at safety for the Gamecocks…was the team’s leading tackler with 101 stops, including 68 solo tackles and three for a loss…broke up five passes and recorded a quarterback hurry…forced three fumbles and recovered one…started the season in style, recording 14 tackles, nine solo, in a win at Alabama State…had 15 tackles against Murray State on Sept. 28, a game that saw him record 10 solo stops…had nine tackles and forced two fumbles in a win over North Alabama on Sept. 14…had eight tackles in a game twice and seven two times…had a season-low three tackles at UT Martin on Oct. 5 but had a quarterback hurry and two pass break ups in the game...forced a fumble against Samford in JSU’s win in the First Round of the FCS Playoffs.

2012: Saw action in all 11 of the Gamecocks games in 2012 as a true freshman…recorded 23 tackles on the year and finished with 0.5 tackles for loss and one pass break up…recorded 11 solo stops and 12 assists…made his collegiate debut and his only start of the season in the Gamecocks season-opener against Arkansas and recorded three tackles…finished with a season-high four tackles against Eastern Illinois on October 13 and then again against UT Martin on Nov. 3…finished with three tackles against Tennessee State…recorded his first tackle for loss against Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 29…broke up a pass in the Eastern Illinois game on Oct. 13.

HIGH SCHOOL:  Played for David Powell at McAdory High School…was a first-team all-state selection in 2009 and second-team all-state in 2010…was a two-time first-team all-district and all-region selection…finished his four-year career with more than 150 tackles, 15 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles on defense, while accounting for 58 touchdowns on offense…helped the Yellow Jackets post an 11-2 record and a region championship in 2009…team went 11-3 in 2010 and advanced to the state semifinals…was team captain…honor student…also recruited by Southern Illinois, Texas State and Pittsburgh.

PERSONAL: Full name is Brandon Deon Bender…son of John and Candy Bender…has one brother, John…born on January 24, 1993…majoring in business management at JSU.