40 Facts About Braden Fiske

Early Life and High School

Braden Fiske's journey to the NFL began in Michigan City, Indiana. His early years laid the foundation for his future success.

1. Birthdate and Place: Braden Fiske was born on January 18, 2000, in Michigan City, Indiana.
2. High School: Fiske attended Michigan City High School in Michigan City, Indiana.
3. High School Honors: As a high school player, Fiske was Indiana’s 15th-ranked prospect by 247Sports in the class of 2018.

College Career at Western Michigan

Fiske's college career started at Western Michigan University, where he quickly made a name for himself.

4. College Recruitment: As a three-star recruit, Fiske committed to play college football at Western Michigan University in 2018.
5. College Career at Western Michigan: Fiske played for the Western Michigan Broncos from 2019 to 2022. During his time there, he started 30 of 45 games and accumulated 148 tackles and 13.5 sacks.
6. College Statistics at Western Michigan: During his three years at Western Michigan, Fiske accumulated 101 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and ten sacks.
7. College Dominance: Fiske’s dominance on the college field was evident, with 81 pressures tied for fifth among FBS interior defensive linemen over his final two seasons at Western Michigan.

Transfer to Florida State

After proving himself at Western Michigan, Fiske transferred to Florida State University, where he continued to excel.

8. Transfer to Florida State: After the 2022 season, Fiske entered the transfer portal and transferred to Florida State University.
9. College Career at Florida State: At Florida State, Fiske emerged as a dominant force on the defensive line. He started all 25 contests in his final two seasons and recorded 43 tackles, including six sacks and nine total tackles for loss.
10. All-ACC Selection: Fiske was named a second-team All-ACC selection during his time at Florida State.
11. Transfer Impact: His transfer to Florida State had a significant impact on the Seminoles’ defense, contributing to their 13-0 regular season record in 2023.

Physical Attributes and NFL Combine Performance

Fiske's physical attributes and performance at the NFL Combine showcased his potential to NFL scouts.

12. Height and Weight: Fiske stands at 6 feet 3 inches (1.92 meters) and weighs 292 pounds (132 kilograms).
13. Physical Attributes: His arm length is 31 inches (0.79 meters), and his hand span is 9+3⁄8 inches (0.24 meters).
14. NFL Combine Performance: At the 2024 NFL Combine, Fiske impressed with his athleticism, recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.78 seconds, a vertical jump of 33.5 inches, and a broad jump of 9 feet 9 inches.
15. Bench Press: Fiske also showcased his upper body strength by bench pressing 26 reps.
16. Athleticism: Fiske’s athleticism was showcased at the 2024 NFL Combine, where he led all interior defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump.

NFL Draft and Professional Career

Fiske's hard work paid off when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.

17. Draft Selection: The Los Angeles Rams selected Fiske with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
18. NFL Potential: Despite some physical limitations, Fiske’s motor and level of activity make him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams seeking interior defensive line enhancements.
19. Draft Grade: Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings graded Fiske as a late-Day 2 to early-Day 3 prospect, highlighting his future starting potential in the NFL despite not being considered first-round material.

Playing Style and Skills

Fiske's playing style and skills make him a formidable force on the field.

20. Motor and Activity Level: Fiske is known for his relentless motor and high activity level on the field. He frequently gets involved in tackles ten yards past the line of scrimmage and consistently plays with great determination and force.
21. Run Defense: Fiske is a true worker-bee on the defensive interior, often encountering double-teams and holding firm ground. He has a knack for collapsing the pocket with sustained bull rushes and can shut down quarterbacks trying to escape the pocket.
22. Pass Rush: Fiske’s ability to diagnose screens and force quarterbacks to dump the ball is impressive. He also uses a rip move and converts speed to power, making him a formidable pass rusher.
23. Tackling Ability: Despite some limitations in arm length, Fiske compensates with his exceptional speed and technique. He has a career miss rate of 15.3%, indicating his ability to tackle effectively.
24. Hand-Placement and Technique: Fiske channels impressive power through his heavy hands when engaging early in the rep with good hand placement. He also gets skinny to shoot gaps and uses forceful extensions to discard blocks at the point of attack.
25. Hand-Fighting: Fiske sometimes gets caught hand-fighting at the line initially rather than winning to one shoulder early, which presents a limited radius as a tackler.

Personal Life and Background

While much of Fiske's life revolves around football, there are some personal details worth noting.

26. Family Background: While there is limited information available about Fiske’s family background, his dedication to football is evident in his journey from high school to the NFL.
27. Personal Life: Fiske’s personal life remains relatively private, with most information focusing on his football career and development.
28. High School Background: Growing up in Michigan City, Indiana, Fiske developed a strong foundation in football, which laid the groundwork for his future success.

College Statistics Summary

Fiske's college statistics highlight his impressive performance on the field.

29. College Statistics Summary: Over his college career, Fiske accumulated 191 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 19 sacks. His performance at both Western Michigan and Florida State was highly impressive.

Scouting Reports and Analysis

Analysts have provided detailed scouting reports on Fiske, highlighting both his strengths and areas for improvement.

30. Scouting Report: Analysts like Lance Zierlein commend Fiske’s playing style, emphasizing his relentless energy and quick reflexes on the field. However, some physical limitations, such as arm length, are noted as potential drawbacks.
31. Motor and Drive: Fiske’s motor is described as “unhinged,” with a dog-like mentality that drives him to outwork his opponents on every play.
32. Upper Body Strength: His bench press performance of 26 reps indicates strong upper body strength, which is crucial for a defensive tackle.
33. Physical Limitations: His arm length is below NFL standards, which limits his ability to threaten the edges of blockers. However, he compensates with his speed and technique.

Future in the NFL

Fiske's future in the NFL looks promising, with many expecting him to make a significant impact.

34. NFL Future: With his work ethic and determination, Fiske is poised to make a significant impact in the NFL. His journey from a college standout to an NFL prospect serves as an inspiration to young athletes aspiring to make their mark in professional football.
35. College Journey: Fiske’s journey from a redshirt freshman to a dominant force in the ACC is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
36. Transfer Portal Experience: Fiske’s experience in the transfer portal was intense, with numerous schools offering him scholarships. He ultimately chose Florida State after a lengthy recruitment process.
37. Head Coach Mike Norvell: Fiske’s decision to transfer to Florida State was influenced by head coach Mike Norvell, who visited him at his home and pitched the Seminoles to him.
38. Career Miss Rate: Despite some limitations, Fiske’s tackling ability is evident, with a career miss rate of 15.3%, indicating his effectiveness in making tackles.
39. College Performance: Fiske’s college performance was marked by consistent improvement, starting from a redshirt freshman to a dominant force in the ACC.
40. Run Defense: Fiske is a true worker-bee on the defensive interior, often encountering double-teams and holding firm ground. He has a knack for collapsing the pocket with sustained bull rushes and can shut down quarterbacks trying to escape the pocket.

Braden Fiske: A Rising NFL Star

Braden Fiske's journey from Michigan City to the NFL showcases his grit, talent, and relentless drive. From his high school days to his standout college career at Western Michigan and Florida State, Fiske's stats speak volumes. With 191 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 19 sacks in college, he proved his mettle. His impressive performance at the 2024 NFL Combine, including a 4.78-second 40-yard dash and 26 bench press reps, caught the Rams' eye, leading to his second-round draft pick. Known for his relentless motor and technique, Fiske's potential in the NFL is undeniable. Despite some physical limitations, his work ethic and determination make him a formidable force on the defensive line. As he steps onto the NFL stage with the Los Angeles Rams, Fiske's story is just beginning, promising an exciting future ahead.