C. J. Brewer

C. J. Brewer (born November 22, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

Early life Brewer was born on November 22, 1997, in Bowdon, Georgia. He attended Bowdon High School, where he participated in football and basketball. As a junior, he was named a first-team All-Region 5-AA selection at linebacker and a second-team choice as an offensive lineman. He was also the Times-Georgian Area Defensive Player of the Year and was named fourth-team all-state. As a senior, Brewer was named the Times-Georgian Al-Area most valuable player and the Defensive Player of the Year in the Region 5-AA. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution selected him as a first-team 5-AA all-state player and the Georgia Sports Writers Association named him a second-team selection. He was a Rivals.com two-star recruit.

College career Brewer committed to Coastal Carolina University, and spent his freshman year (2016) as a redshirt. In 2017, as a redshirt-freshman, he appeared in every game (12) as a defensive lineman, making his first career start on October 28 against the Texas State Bobcats. As a redshirt-sophomore during the 2018 season, Brewer started five games at defensive tackle and appeared in a total of nine, recording a total of 29 tackles and two forced fumbles. He was named preseason all-conference by Phil Steele (first-team), Athlon Sports (first-team), and Pro Football Focus (third-team), as well as preseason All-American by Athlon (fourth-team). An Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlisted player, Brewer remained team captain and started all 13 games, recording 54 tackles, which ranked fifth on the team. He also compiled 9.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, an interception, and a single fumble recovered. He was invited to the 2022 Hula Bowl, the senior all-star game, and was named first-team all-conference by Phil Steele and Pro Football Network, as well as second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus. Brewer had six games with more than five tackles and was given the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl Community Service Soldier Award and the Team Community Service Award at the conclusion of the season. He was a member of the President's List, given to those with a GPA of 4.0, and was given a spot on the 2022 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society.

Buffalo Bills After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Brewer was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He was waived at the final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad shortly afterwards. He was elevated to the active roster on September 19 for their game with the Tennessee Titans, and made his NFL debut in the match, recording two tackles. He was reverted back to the practice squad on September 20. He was released on October 4. He was re-signed to the practice squad on November 26, 2022. He was promoted to the active roster on December 6. On December 13, he was released from the team.

Houston Roughnecks Brewer was selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in the league's 2023 draft. He was released from his contract on May 15, 2023.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers On May 15, 2023, Brewer signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad. Brewer was released on November 14. On December 6, he was re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2024.

Brewer was waived by the team during roster cuts on August 27, 2024 and re-signed with the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 20.

On August 26, 2025, Brewer was waived by the Buccaneers as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 23. On December 10, Brewer was waived and re-signed to the practice squad.