Scouting Profile: Pat Bryant - WR- Illinois
Sales Pitch: Clever route runner with a prototypical build for a perimeter WR. Limited speed and burst hurts his ceiling, but is one of the few true X-WRs in this class.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Pat Bryant is a former 3-Star recruit from the state of Florida. He was a 3-year starter for the Illini, with 35 total starts across 45 games. Bryant improved his statistical output each season and finished if off with a career year in 2024 that lead to 1st Team All-Big 10 honors.
Bryant possesses the ideal build for a perimeter X-WR. He is a long limbed with plus height and weight. Despite being an average athlete, he is excellent at beating press coverage off the line. Bryant is decisive and controlled with his footwork to open up press corners hips and quickly gain leverage. He uses his big frame to wall off defenders and place them on his back him through his stems. Bryant is not an explosive route runner but makes up for it with savviness and technique. He is quick to read corners hips and attack their blind spot to gain leverage for his break. Once into his break, he has smooth deceleration skills to drop his hips and uses his plus size to push off at the top of routes. At the catch point Bryant displays aggressive hands that pluck the ball out of the air. He has the body control and leaping ability to control his body in flight and secure jump balls along the sideline and in the red zone.
Bryant is an average athlete with below average speed. He lacks the twitch or suddenness to consistently beat man coverage. He relies heavily on his route running and strength to find space as a receiver, which results in a better outlook against zone coverage. Bryant had a strong 2024, but his production noticeable dipped against upper level competition that was able to match his technique and size. His lack of movement skills also limits him after the catch. Despite fairly decent contact balance to run through arm tackles, he lacks the stop-start ability to elude defenders and has minimal breakaway potential.
Bryant profiles best as a perimeter X-WR. His lack of juice on the outside creates a lower ceiling, but his technique and ball skills give him a solid floor to help round out a receiver room. Bryant projects as a early Day-3 pick who could get bumped up into Round 3 as one of the few true X-WRs in this class.