While perhaps overshadowed on a defense stacked with all-America candidates, Grier is one of the nation’s top linebackers at the weakside position … stellar play throughout his career has largely flown under the radar due to ASU’s steady stream of superstars at the linebacker position … was snubbed for all-Southern Conference consideration last season after ranking eighth in the league with 97 total tackles and tied for 12th with 10.5 tackles for loss … is Appalachian’s active leader with 171 career tackles … at 6-2, 232 pounds possesses ideal frame for a linebacker with ability to stuff the run while also manning up against tight ends and slot receivers in pass coverage … barring unforeseen circumstances, will be the Mountaineers’ starter at the WILL linebacker position for the third-straight year.

2011: Started all 12 games at the weakside (WILL) linebacker position … ranked second on the team and eighth in the Southern Conference with 97 total tackles … ranked third on the team and tied for 12th in the SoCon with 10.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks … was also responsible for two takeaways with an interception and a fumble recovery … was the team’s leading tackler four times … recorded double-digit tackles on four occasions and made at least eight stops six times … opened the season with eight tackles and a quarterback hurry at Virginia Tech … totaled 10 stops, including two for loss and a sack, in limited time in blowout wins over North Carolina A&T and Savannah State … tied for team lead with 11 tackles and added second QB hurry of the season in defense-dominated 14-12 win over Chattanooga … managed just 15 total tackles and none for loss versus Wofford, The Citadel and Samford but bounced back with 14 stops in 24-17 win over No. 1 Georgia Southern … had one TFL in victory over top-ranked GSU … tallied team-high 11 tackles at Furman … led team in tackles for second-straight week with nine in win over Western Carolina … added a 12-yard sack in the triumph over WCU … had six stops, including one for loss, in regular-season finale at Elon … racked up a team-best 13 tackles including an ASU-season-high three for loss in playoff loss to Maine.

2010: Appeared in 12 games, missing only the season opener at Chattanooga due to a shoulder injury ... started nine of 12 games, seven at weakside linebacker (WILL) and two on the strong side (SAM) ... ranked third on the team with 64 tackles (tops among all returners in 2011) ... 6.5 tackles for loss were good for fourth on the squad ... broke up three passes, forced two fumbles and notched 1.5 sacks ... recorded at least three stops in each of the final 11 contests of the season ... after making just one tackle in season debut versus Jacksonville, exploded for six tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a half sack, and one pass break-up the following week against North Carolina Central ... credited with six solo tackles at Samford ... made five stops in win over nationally ranked Elon ... tallied eight tackles in win over The Citadel ... turned in an impressive performance versus Western Carolina with seven tackles (five solo), a pass break-up and a forced fumble ... recorded six stops, including 1.5 for loss, in triumph over Furman ... played integral role in SoCon title-clinching rout over No. 4 Wofford with a career-high nine tackles (1.5 behind the line of scrimmage) and a forced fumble ... had four tackles and broke up a pass in regular-season finale at Florida ... totaled nine stops, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry in two postseason outings versus Western Illinois and Villanova.

2009: Appeared in 12 games, mainly on special teams ... made 10 tackles, including three in the season opener at East Carolina and two in SoCon title-clinching win at Elon.

High School: Recorded more than 300 tackles over final two prep seasons, including 156 as a senior ... added 15 tackles for loss, six sacks and five forced fumbles during senior campaign ... named 2008 ME-CA 7 4A Conference Defensive Player of the Year, as well as first-team all-Charlotte Observer­­, all­-county and all-conference ... helped lead West Charlotte to 22-6 overall record over final two seasons, including back-to-back undefeated conference championships and four playoff victories  ... 2008 Shrine Bowl participant ... coached by Aaron Brand.

Personal: Full name is Brandon Norman Grier ... born Nov. 16, 1990 (turns 22 during season) ... son of Bobby Grier ... majoring in building sciences.