Packers Rookie Brandon Cisse Emulating Charles Woodson in Unique Way

Green Bay Packers select CB Brandon Cisse 2026 NFL Draft
Getty
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Brandon Cisse of the South Carolina Gamecocks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers are holding their rookie minicamp this weekend.

Green Bay’s six 2026 NFL Draft picks, signed undrafted free agents, and several unsigned invitees will all be participating. Even veteran wide receiver Chase Claypool is getting a tryout.

This is a chance for the rookies to show what they got before the Packers’ entire roster gathers for OTAs later this month. After practice, a handful of Green Bay’s draft picks spoke to the media, including second-rounder Brandon Cisse.

Green Bay Packers Rookie CB Brandon Cisse Chose to Wear No. 2 Party to Honor Charles Woodson

Cisse, who grew up as a big fan of Woodson, told reporters (H/T Rob Demovsky) that Woodson had an influence on him wearing No. 2 on his jersey.

“He was in Oakland (Raiders) when I watched him when I was older,” Cisse said of Woodson. “Obviously my dad’s a big Charles Woodson fan. He has his jersey. Even back when he was at Michigan wearing the No. 2, I studied him for a long time. He’s still one of my favorites to watch.”

“It plays a role into it, for sure,” Cisse continued when asked if Woodson is why he wears No. 2. “Back at the Rose Bowl when he had the rose in his mouth with the (number) 2. That’s a picture I still have on my phone.”

Woodson didn’t wear No. 2 during his seven-year tenure in Green Bay, wearing No. 21 instead. He only wore the No. 2 during his collegiate career at Michigan, as he wore No. 24 during both of his stints with the Raiders.

Cisse wore No. 2 during his two years at NC State before transferring to South Carolina in 2025, switching to No. 15. Here is a look at the jersey numbers for the Packers’ entire 2026 draft class:

  • CB Brandon Sisse: No. 2
  • DL Chris McClellan: No. 55
  • Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton: No. 51
  • C Jager Burton: No. 52
  • CB Domani Jackson: No. 20
  • K Trey Smack No. 28

Packers Hoping They Have Cornerstone Player in Brandon Cisse

Brandon Cisse, Houston Texans

GettyCB Brandon Cisse

It’s certainly not fair to put Charles Woodson level expectations on Cisse, but if he can be even half of the player Woodson was, Cisse will have a great career. Woodson’s 65 career interceptions are tied for the fifth-most in NFL history. He also finished his 18-year pro career with 1,220 total tackles, 183 passes defensed, 20 sacks, and 34 forced fumbles.

Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. Some of the best seasons of his career happened in Green Bay, as he was named an All-Pro four times, Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, and won Super Bowl XLV during that span. Woodson also led the league in interceptions twice as a Packer in 2009 and 2011.

As for Cisse, he recorded 65 total tackles two interceptions, 10 passes defensed, and one forced fumble during his three-year collegiate career. In a weaker cornerback class, he may have been a first-round pick. Cisse is a plus athlete who possesses great closing speed and ball skills. He could also bring special teams value as a gunner. Cisse will have a legitimate opportunity to earn a starting role right off the bat as a rookie in 2026.

0 Comments

Packers Rookie Brandon Cisse Emulating Charles Woodson in Unique Way

Notify of
0 Comments
Follow this thread
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please commentx
()
x