Every NFL team knows the key to winning the draft is matching value with need, and mining the later rounds for underrated prospects from smaller programs who may have fallen through the cracks.

One small-school prospect who should be getting plenty of attention this season is Northern Iowa offensive tackle Spencer Brown, who recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the challenges of COVID-19, the best defenders he’s faced in his career, and what fans can expect from him in 2020.

JM: This is a big season for you. The spread of COVID-19 has brought many challenges. How are you finding ways to work out and improve your game with so many restrictions in place?

SB: When the virus started to really make its impact, it was right after Spring Break. We were on our break anyways. I was back home and I ended up converting my mom’s garage into a weight room. She’s a local principal so she had access to a weight room when no one else did (laughs). I was able to take advantage of that. We took some things out of there and I set myself up in the garage. I did that for about a month and a half.

My roommates’ parents wound up getting me a squat rack for my garage. I came back here to Cedar Falls and set up in the home gym. I have all the weights and equipment that I need. I’ve been doing my lifts out here ever since. I really can’t complain.

JM: What are your hoping to achieve individually and as a unit this season?

SB: For myself, I just want to contribute to the offense as best as I can. I just wanna be the best player that I can be within our scheme. There are various areas of my game that I can improve on. I’m well aware of that. I accept that and I’ve already began to work on my craft. As an offense, we’re looking to improve. We were rock solid last year and the plan is to be rock solid this year as well. We should be able to get on a roll. We have some great talent coming in. As long as we’re playing hard, things should go well for us.

JM: What can you tell me about the scheme?

SB: We run a lot of multiple tight end sets. We have some different personnel groups. We can run some power, we can spread things out, we have different reads. It really doesn’t matter. We have a great quarterback in Will McElvain. He can throw the football and he can also take off and run with it. It’s a fun offense to be around. We have a lot going on. We’re versatile and we have some fun with it. As an offensive linemen, it’s fun to run inside zone one play and outside zone the next. It keeps you on your toes and it can be challenging in a good way.

JM: What are a few traits that an offensive linemen must possess in order to be successful?

SB: For one, you have to be nasty. You have to be able to take another man and put him on the ground. You have to be smart about it though. I’m learning how to be a smarter player. You have to eliminate the holding penalties and the personal fouls. There’s no room in the game for stuff like that. I didn’t fully understand that coming in. As I started to get around the older offensive linemen, you start to gain some clarity. I’ve also realized how important it is to understand where and how a defensive linemen lines up. I have to know where the linebackers are.

You also have to be genuine. As an O-linemen, you have to know who you are and what your role is. You don’t get a lot of glitz and glamour playing this position. You’re doing the grunt work. You might be banged up all season long. Nobody cares. You have guys falling into your legs on just about every play. You have to know your role and be genuine with it.

JM: What’s your favorite part about playing in the trenches?

SB: Everybody in the trenches knows that we’re going to be hitting each other all day long. That goes for both the offensive and defensive linemen. I can look at the D-linemen in front of me and tell him, “Hey, we’re running inside zone and we’re gonna double team you” and he’s gonna respond like, “Yeah, I already knew that” (laughs). There’s not a lot of smoke and mirrors to what we do. We know what’s at stake. I have to move that man from where he is to where he doesn’t want to be. It’s that simple.

JM: Who are some of the best defensive linemen you’ve done battle with up until this point?

SB: I remember playing against Iowa two years ago. I went up against Anthony Nelson. He was playing defensive end for them. He’s with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever gone up against. Justus Reed from Youngstown State is a handful. I have a teammate at Northern Iowa, Elerson Smith. I get to go up against him every single day. I can’t take a day off with that guy (laughs). In my mind, he’s the best defensive end in the country. I’ll stick by that.

JM: Funny, I recently interviewed Elerson. He’s a heck of a player.

SB: Oh yeah, he really is. He’s definitely made me a better player. I’m always ready to go up against him 1-on-1 in scrimmages. We’re always going at it. Once it’s over, it’s over and we’re good friends again (laughs).

JM: Do you feel like you’re more developed in pass protection or as a run blocker at this point in time?

SB: At this point in time, I would say that I’m a little more polished in pass protection. I’m obviously a lot smaller than most defensive linemen so people expect me to have a tough time getting underneath them but I always find a way to get it done.

JM: You believe you’re a little more polished in pass protection. How do you handle speed differently from power?

SB: With speed, you know exactly what to expect in those obvious passing situations. The quarterback has to make a long drop and I know those speed rushers are coming into the game. I just have to run those speed rushers right up out of there. If I can get on them early and win at the line of scrimmage, I can run them past the quarterback and allow my QB the space and time to move up and toss a dime. With those power guys, you have to be able to stop them in their tracks. I have to lower my base and win with technique. If I get my hands on their chest plate, they can’t generate a whole lot of power.

JM: Do you have a preferred pass set?

SB: When I was a little younger, all I really knew was a vertical set. Now that I’m a senior, I’ve definitely taken some strides. I like learning new sets and incorporating them into my game. I really enjoy a jump set, a quick set. I usually don’t do it right away but maybe I’ll mix that in. A lot of guys don’t expect that quick set. I like using it on third-and-15 for example. They’re expecting me to go straight backwards. If I give them a quick set and get my hands on them right away, it really throws them for a loop.

JM: What can Northern Iowa fans expect from Spencer Brown this coming season?

SB: They can expect me to do the best that I can. I’m one of 11 guys on offense and I’m going to do my part to the best of my ability. I’m confident that we’re going to win a lot of football games.

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