Survivor Game Changers Cast Assessment: Brad Culpepper

Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2017 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2017 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With none of his fellow castmates pre-disposed to curse out his name, Brad Culpepper could do well in Survivor Game Changers.

From an emotional standpoint, Survivor Blood vs Water put players through a lot tougher of an ordeal than previous seasons. Loved ones were pitted against each other in opposing tribes, and those voted out had the chance to compete and get back into the game through Redemption Island. If Monica Culpepper was safe, Brad Culpepper could be on the chopping block.

In fact, with Brad having gained firsthand experience from his wife, he was able to socialize with others quickly and establish a strategic game plan right from the start. He saw the strength of creating alliances with people who would follow him and knew to take out players of his tribe that would do the most damage, emotionally, to the other tribe.

Unfortunately for Brad Culpepper, this aggressive approach left people literally cursing his name.

Brad is a non-conventional pick for Survivor Game Changers. He has the will, spirit, and physical drive of a defensive end because he was a defensive end in the NFL. However, since retirement, he has become a lawyer, able to read people as well as anyone else in a cast full of killers.

Knowing what we know about Brad Culpepper, there is a strong chance that he could go far into this game. His physicality will be required to carry his starting tribe, especially when Ozzy Lusth and, maybe, JT Thomas are the only players stronger than him. Their increased strength and reputations make them great possibilities for Brad to partner with.

Not only would they create a strong core of players in Survivor Game Changers, in Brad’s case, he would also have two respectable targets to shield him for reasons beyond their physicality as the season progresses.

More from Season 34 Game Changers

JT is underrated as a strategic player, having never had a vote played against him while winning all votes at the final tribal council of Survivor Tocantins. Meanwhile, Ozzy has never hit the brakes during any challenge in his three previous seasons, making him a late pre-merge target that cannot be allowed to win a string of immunity challenges.

Brad Culpepper knows just how much negativity surrounds his name, though, so there may be another approach he can take if he wants to last in Survivor Game Changers. Knowing he can be as strategic as he is strong, he may prove to be a formidable lead of a social-heavy alliance. That way, he can deflect to social stars being the true threats.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Brad approached Tai Trang and/or Andrea Boehlke in an attempt to form an alliance. Both players are incredibly sociable and well-liked as players and people. Hell, Andrea has gone on to interview other Survivor players as part of her job for People Now, in addition to celebrities outside of the show.

Because Culpepper has had his name maligned in such a public fashion, it gives him more of a chance of being taken on as an alliance member. Unless your name is Tony Vlachos and somebody who demonstrates no strategic gameplay whatsoever brings you to the final tribal council, Brad Culpepper may be perceived as a goat to bring along to the end. Seeing how Tai lost his season because of the perceptions of the Survivor Kaoh Rong jury, he may outwardly seek out that kind of partnership with him.

Next: Survivor Game Changers Cast Assessment: JT Thomas

Regardless of his route, the outspoken nature of Brad Culpepper may prove to be his swift downfall or give him the opportunity to be taken far into Survivor Game Changers.