When Brandon Cisse picked up the phone he was cool, calm and collected.
But not long after, the emotions starting pouring out.
The Green Bay Packers' selected Cisse out of South Carolina with the 52nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on April 24. He was the Packers' first selection in the draft.
After the call ended with team officials, he put on a Green Bay Packers hat, hugged family and celebrated with a room full of supporters, some of whom wore his South Carolina Gamecocks No. 15 jersey.
Then he sat back down to hear the announcement on TV, made by Packers Super Bowl-winning fullback John Kuhn.
And it was then that he couldn't hold back any more.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Devan Boykin (12) is greeted by teammate Brandon Cisse (25) after an interception during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is hit by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Brandon Cisse (15) as he releases the ball during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn ImagesSep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) catches a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn ImagesFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesTennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) runs the ball while tackled by N.C. State cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) at the NCAA College football game between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Brandon Cisse (25) warms up prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports1 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Devan Boykin (12) is greeted by teammate Brandon Cisse (25) after an interception during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports3 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickAug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is hit by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Brandon Cisse (15) as he releases the ball during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images4 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickNov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images5 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickSep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) catches a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images6 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images7 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickTennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) runs the ball while tackled by N.C. State cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) at the NCAA College football game between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.8 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images9 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Brandon Cisse (25) warms up prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY SportsThe tears started coming. It was jubilation around him, as everyone in the room clapped and celebrated the accomplishment.
Cisse remained on the couch as he took in the moment with his girlfriend, Trista, beside him.
Reactions: Packers social media pleased with decision to draft Brandon Cisse