Growing up, Brandon Facyson had two dreams:
Go to medical school.
Play in the NFL.
Although the former double major at Virginia Tech became enamored with science when he was in junior high, he realized medical school will "always be there" which is why he chose to pursue his dream of making his mark in the league.
On Saturday, he got the text of a lifetime finding out he'd be fulfilling that dream full-time.
"It was a dream come true," Facyson said. "Everybody goes through things and that's what makes them, them; certain situations define that person. Over the years, I've had the ups and the downs, everyone goes through them, but you've got to keep finding a way to push through those things. When I got the text that I was a part of the 53-man roster, it meant the world to me. I called my mom and my dad immediately. I had my friends calling me every five seconds, and it was a dream come true."
At 6-2 197-pounds, Facyson was once projected to be a first or second day pick in the draft. But a series of leg injuries derailed his development and forced the cornerback to stay in school through the 2017 season. He finished his career at Virginia Tech amassing 131 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 44 passes defensed, five interceptions and three forced fumbles. While he admits going through what he did wasn't easy, it shaped him into the player he is today.
"You have to just get up and not be mad about it anymore. You've just got to get back to work, and that's how I took every single day. Throughout the injuries, I never let that stop me. I never let anything stop me, so it was a dream come true that this all happened."
Facyson used his size and length to end the preseason with a pair of passes defensed and an interception. He predicates his game on "toughness" and the ability to "diagnose plays". Additionally, just like he was while in class as a Hokie, he admits he's a student of the game.
As for his goals his rookie season? Keep grinding and show why the Chargers taking a chance on him will pay off.
"Just be a playmaker and ballhawk I know I am. I want to continue to do the little things right and be a better player every single day. I want to continue to show my coaches and teammates they picked up a hell of a player."
Presenting your 2018 Los Angeles Chargers.
3 QB Geno Smith
4 K Michael Badgley
5 P Donnie Jones
6 K Nick Rose
11 WR Geremy Davis
12 WR Travis Benjamin
13 WR Keenan Allen
16 WR Tyrell Williams
17 QB Philip Rivers
20 CB Desmond King
23 S Rayshawn Jenkins
26 CB Casey Hayward Jr.
28 RB Melvin Gordon III
29 CB Jeff Richards
30 RB Austin Ekeler
31 S Adrian Phillips
32 WR Justin Jackson
33 S Derwin James
34 FB Derek Watt
36 CB Brandon Facyson
37 S Jahleel Addae
38 RB Detrez Newsome
42 LB Uchenna Nwosu
43 CB Michael Davis
47 LS Mike Windt
48 LB Nick Dzubnar
50 LB Hayes Pullard
51 OLB Kyle Emanuel
53 C Mike Pouncey
54 DE Melvin Ingram III
Los Angeles Chargers practice at Orange Coast College on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 in Costa Mesa, CA.
61 C/G Scott Quessenberry
64 C/G Cole Toner
66 G Dan Feeney
Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49rs on Thursday, August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, CA. Final score: LAC 23 vs SF 21 . (Chargers/Mike Nowak)
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69 T Sam Tevi
71 NT Damion Square
75 G Michael Schofield III
76 T Russell Okung
77 G Forrest Lamp
80 TE Sean Culkin
81 WR Mike Williams
84 WR Dylan Cantrell
85 TE Antonio Gates
86 TE Hunter Henry
88 TE Virgil Green
90 DE Anthony Lanier
91 DL Justin Jones
92 NT Brandon Mebane
93 DE Darius Philon
95 DT T.Y. McGill
98 DE Isaac Rochell
