Player Profiles – Brandon Lloyd

By Irn-Bru | June 23rd, 2006

Next up in the THN New Player Profile series is Brandon Lloyd. – Ed.

College: Illinois
Height: 6-0
Position: WR
Weight: 184
Born: 07/05/1981
Draft: 2003 – 4th round by the San Francisco 49ers
Number: 85

As one among several important offensive acquisitions, Brandon Lloyd joins a newly bulked-up squad of wide receivers. Alongside of Antwaan Randel El, Lloyd was signed by the Redskins in hopes that the team can alleviate some of the pressure that was placed on Santana Moss, who was the Skins main—and sometimes only—receiving threat of the 2005 season.

As a restricted free agent at the end of 2005, Lloyd was unable to agree to a long-term deal with the 49ers, instead receiving a one-year qualifying offer from San Francisco that required a first-round draft pick as compensation were he to sign elsewhere. The Redskins, however, arranged for a trade with the 49ers, and acquired Lloyd for a 3rd round pick in 2006 and a 4th round pick in 2007. On the Skins roster, Lloyd will likely fill in the #3 slot. His explosive capabilities will complement a squad that has plenty of speed in Moss and a solid possession receiver in Randel El.

The Redskins were attracted to Lloyd because of his electrifying year in 2005 with the 49ers, where he started 16 games and earned team-highs in receptions (48) and receiving yards (733), as well as catching 5 touchdowns. Lloyd is developing a reputation for pursuing the ball and fighting for it, and this penchant has lead to some acrobatic, highlight-reel catches. The Redskins see a lot of upside in Lloyd, who best displayed his potential last year in week 3 against Dallas (something Skins fans are sure to appreciate). Against the Cowboys, he recorded four catches for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns, including an 89-yard touchdown pass.

Lloyd was drafted in the 4th round by the 49ers in the 2003 draft. He saw limited action in his rookie season, playing mostly special teams while seeing limited time as a wide-out. Determined to make his mark in the league, Lloyd added 10 pounds in the offseason in order to adapt to the highly physical play of the NFL. In 2004, he started in 13 games and finished the year with 43 catches for 565 yards and 6 touchdowns. Like many wide receivers, Lloyd experienced a breakout year in his third season in the NFL, becoming the leading receiver for the 49ers and establishing himself as an up-and-coming player.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Lloyd attended Blue Springs High, where he played as a cornerback, a wide receiver, and a kick returner. Lloyd recorded 6 interceptions (1 returned for a score) and caught 23 passes for 442 yards and 6 scores as his team went 10-0 in two consecutive seasons. Among his achievements in high school are a First-team All-Region pick by Mo-Kan Magazine and an All-State selection by St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

As a freshman at University of Illinois, Lloyd was named Illinois Male Newcomer-of-the-Year for contributions in both football and track. He played in every game, starting the final five games at flanker, finishing with 30 receptions for 511 yards (17.0 avg.) and two touchdowns. Although he was red shirted in his sophomore year due to an injury (leg), Lloyd returned strong in 2001, leading his team in receptions (65), receiving yards (1,062), and touchdowns (10, tying a school record). Lloyd had an impressive final year at Illinois, gaining 100+ yards receiving in 5 games and tying his own record in receptions. He finished his college career as one of only two Illini to record back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons as a receiver.

Lloyd was a speech communications major with emphasis in journalism at college. He hopes to be a broadcaster someday, and he even interned with Fox Sports Midwest in the summer of 2002. Since joining the league, Lloyd has been active in the community, participating in many events and hosting several as well. According to his website, Brandon has also released a solo rap album.

-Daniel Coleman

Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Daniel Coleman