A redshirt-medical double major senior who specialized in medical science, Brandon Facyson played cornerback with Virginia Tech from 2013 to 2017. He made an impressive 5 interceptions as a freshman, but injuries and teams looking away from him ensured he did not have another takeaway- outside of fumbles for the rest of his college career. Notably, in 2016 he had 11 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles, and finished his time with the Hokies with 131 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 39 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 forced fumbles. Possessing the size and football intelligence, teams were intrigued by Facyson as a situational starter in the right defensive alignment- but he’d go unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft- thanks to a series of leg injuries that impacted his college career.
Undeterred Brandon signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He’d make the 53 based on his impressive preseason efforts, with 2 pass deflections and a pick. During the regular season he’d notch xx tackles for 2018
Congratulations to Brandon Facyson and Panini Contenders 2018 for probably the worst and most uninspiring autograph of the year. This one is absolutely terrible. Who puts just the first letter of their last name as their autograph? Not to mention it just looks slowly and lazily done. It even drops off the bottom of the sticker.
Folorunso Fatukasi, or Foley as he’s know to by his teammates, was a productive run stopping defensive lineman for the UConn Huskies who can kick inside to defensive tackle in a pinch. Strong and explosive off the line, Fatukasi clocks in at 6’4″, 318. He’d be selected in the 6th round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Slotting him in at defensive end in a 3-4 alignment, Foley impressed coaches enough to make the Jets’ 2018 roster.
Marinas Rankin played tackle for Mississippi State from 2015-2017. In 2017, he earned first team All-SEC Honors and the Kent Hull Trophy (which is given annually by the state of Mississippi for the best offensive lineman in the state).
He’d be selected near the top of Round 3 by the lineman needy Houston Texans. The Texans had an abysmal offensive line in 2017 and it didn’t get any better after trading longtime stud Duane Brown to Seattle. In the offseason Houston cut guys who underperformed and signed a few free agents to try to shore up the front. Rankin started off slowly as a foot injury slowed him during camp, but he returned before the preseason concluded to get some much needed playtime.
Martinas would be thrown into the fire however as starting RT Sentrel Henderson broke his ankle during the first game of the season against the Patriots. The Texans shuffled the line and Rankin entered the starting lineup at Left Tackle playing there the next three games. He started one last game late in the season against the Eagles and finished the season garnering experience at both tackle and left guard.
Going into 2019, Martinas has received a fair amount of praise with his improved play at guard and with Zach Fulton locking down the left guard position, Rankin is in a battle with Senio Kelemete for the RG spot.
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