The Seattle Seahawks are hosting NC State defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland for a top 30 visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland, a projected late-round pick, has started two seasons during his collegiate career.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Brandon Cleveland #44 of the NC State Wolfpack reaches out to tackle Antario Brown #1 of the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second half of the game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) | Getty Images
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Brandon Cleveland #44 of the NC State Wolfpack reaches out to tackle Antario Brown #1 of the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second half of the game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Weāve reached the penultimate week before the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks have been busy with top 30 visits and local prospect meetings, and as time winds down on these in-person visits, a projected late-round defensive tackle has surfaced on Seattleās radar.
NFL insider Arye Pulli reported over the weekend that the Seahawks will meet with former North Carolina State run-stuffer Brandon Cleveland.
Cleveland spent his entire collegiate career at NC State, starting two of those seasons. Hereās the rundown from The Athleticās Dane Brugler, who gave him a sixth-round grade:
A two-year starter at NC State, Cleveland was an interchangeable one-/three-technique in defensive coordinator D.J. Eliotās multiple fronts. He packed on weight after enrolling in Raleigh and moved down the defensive line, closer to the football. He didnāt pad the stat sheet as a junior or senior, but his talent and tape are more forgiving.
Cleveland is a hard-hat lineman content with doing the dirty work in the middle of the trenches. He is a stout run defender who can bend and hold his ground. Though he doesnāt have the feet or length for quick wins (just 13 pressures in 2025), his hand use helps him clear block engagement to create congestion up the gut.
Not every top 30 visit is meant to be targeting the upper-tier prospects, and the Seahawks have a terrific track record under John Schneider as far as finding late-round or undrafted gems. Cleveland joins Ohio Stateās Kayden McDonald as the only known defensive tackles to have official in-person visits with the Seahawks.
Check Clevelandās highlight reel out below:
Q&A
What are the details of Brandon Cleveland's college football career at NC State?
Brandon Cleveland spent his entire collegiate career at NC State, where he started two seasons as a defensive tackle.
What is Brandon Cleveland's projected draft position for the 2026 NFL Draft?
Brandon Cleveland is projected to be a late-round pick, with a sixth-round grade from NFL analyst Dane Brugler.
Why are the Seattle Seahawks interested in Brandon Cleveland?
The Seahawks are interested in Brandon Cleveland as they are looking to bolster their defensive line ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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