He's a member, too | MARK BRAZINSKI

With the 2014 NFL draft happening in May, we visit with hard-hitting Mark Brazinski, graduate student and offensive lineman for the University of California-Berkeley. A member since 2013, Mark lives in Berkeley. He was interviewed for the Mensa Bulletin in March of 2014.

I’m Tesla: I encountered Mensa in the 5th grade. My teacher used to ask us puzzles from a Mensa book, and we would collaborate in groups to answer the questions. I remember thinking I was a little Tesla when I answered the simplest questions doing basic algebra.

Brains in the trenches: Offensive linemen have to be the most fluid thinkers on the field. I once wrote a graduate paper on how a center has four seconds to identify and communicate the locations of defensive lineman, the positions of the linebackers, and every possible blitz. One wrong bit of analysis and someone gets hurt.

Recognizing patterns: I use my intelligence during games to recognize patterns that my opponents think are indistinguishable. I can recall at least two games where the safeties would think they would hide certain blitzes but ended up giving away their entire play based on observations of body language. One would lean heavily toward the side he covered; another would give it away with his eyes.

Memorizing a playbook: Under my first head coach, Jeff Tedford, our offensive playbook was especially thick, and, as a center, I had to know everything about the offensive line. To get everything done correctly, I developed my own mental algorithm for the plays. I consider it like a search tree for the playbook. It took a few tries to get it right, but once I did it made life so much easier.

Getting ready for the NFL: Since I was a lad, I have always wanted to play in the NFL. I am currently training at Cal for this opportunity, as I complete my master’s degree…. I am very excited about the Wonderlic test. I did not get a perfect score the last time I took it, and that’s my goal for the next one. I always set my goals at the highest level I think they could ever be.

Changing uniforms: Oregon’s uniforms are interesting, and I appreciate the technology they use, but I worry about the helmets. As a player, I have a certain way I like to wear my helmet so it is tight and keeps me safe. Having to calibrate a new helmet every week would worry me about safety. Who knows, two more hits and I may not be eligible for Mensa.

Beyond football: If football doesn’t work out, I will have my master’s degree in information management systems, as well as my two bachelor’s degrees in business and media studies. I would like to work in an industry (most likely tech) where I get to solve interesting problems. It could be software, hardware, service—anything along those lines. I would look for something in product management. Anyone who has an interesting problem, write me on LinkedIn.