Tough over the middle and explosive, Gary Bryant jr. adds electricity to the Oregon offense

Coming out of high school in 2020, Gary Bryant Jr. was one of the most explosive and sought after players in the country. 

As a senior at Centennial High School in Corona, California, he hauled in 58 passes for 1134 yards, 19.6 yards per catch. He scored 10 touchdowns receiving, adding two more on punt returns and another two rushing. The scouting services rated him a top-50 player with enough offers to bury the kitchen table.

He chose USC, but SC football fell on hard times in 2021. Clay Helton was fired in September. Starting quarterback Kedon Slovis got hurt, out for the year after a neck injury against Washington State. In November they lost to BYU, got blasted by UCLA 62-33, then dropped a December makeup game to Cal to finish 4-8,  the third-worst season in USC football history. That December the Trojans hired Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma, who promised an immediate turnaround.

Bryant jr. shined though. It was his sophomore year and he'd added 16 pounds of muscle to his slight frame, still quick and tough over the middle, dangerous after the catch. He tallied six pass plays of more than 30 yards on his way to 44 receptions for 579 yards and 7 TDs, tied for tops on the team with NFL draft pick Drake London, who webr #8 overall in the first round to the Atlanta Falcons.

In the loss to UCLA Bryant erupted for 166 yards and a touchdown. The year before against the Bruins, he ignited a comeback win with a 56-yard kickoff return.

Despite thriving in adversity the 5-11, 180-pound dynamo got lost in the new regime. Riley brought in Sooner transfer Caleb Williams to play quarterback, loaded up on receivers, bringing in Jordan Addison, Brenden Rice and Mario Williams from the transfer portal.

Bryant tried to stay optimistic. At spring practice last year he told reporters, “It's great. It's competitive, but everybody has a brotherhood. I mean, there’s not one selfish guy in the room. Guys, ‘Oh, let me get all the reps.’ Everybody comes together and helps with the plays and talks to each other so it's a great atmosphere to have all these guys around each other.""

You try to welcome guys. I'm just going over there telling them ‘Anything you need. I'm here.’ I know Mario (Williams) got here, I reached out to him and met him in and we’re building a relationship and even the guys on defense. I'm just telling them whatever they want, we can watch film or whatever they need help with. Whatever it is, even in school. I'll be there to help.”

In September the team started 3-0, but Bryant caught just two passes for 15 yards. Frustrated, little used, he decided to redshirt with the intention to enter the transfer portal after the season. He stayed with the team, though, practicing on the scout team while working on his degree. A Communications major, he graduated in May after three years, still with three seasons of eligibility left.

In the portal he drew lots of attention. Miami, Arizona and Texas A&M were all interested, but Bryant and his family quickly zeroed in on the Ducks, committing on May 13th. Gary Bryant Sr. told Greg Biggins of 247Sports, “Gary feels really comfortable with Junior Adams (WR coach),” Bryant said. “He has known him since high school and he’s a very genuine person that we like and trust.

“Oregon has a lot of receivers but Troy Franklin is the main guy who has established himself and they feel Gary would be a great complement to him. Plus they want Gary returning punts and kicks and that’s something he really wants to do to showcase that part of his game. Coach Lanning reaches out as well and the whole staff is coming hard and being very aggressive.”

At Oregon Bryant gets a fresh start on a roster that lost Dont'e Thornton, Isaah Crocker, Caleb Chapman and Seven McGee to transfer while Chase Cota graduated. He's a versatile player who can play all three wide receiver slots, dangerous after the catch, with the footwork and savvy to get open deep and stretch the field. 

A scouting report from Lamarr Fields of lafbnetwork.com:

Bryant is more quick than fast, meaning he is quick at making moves and making people miss while shifting through the defense. Along with Bryant’s quickness, he’s able to change speeds well, allowing him to start and stop and get back going again.

Route running is also one of Bryant’s strengths; he can get in and out of his breaks well, which allows him to get open quickly. Once Bryant gets the ball in his hands, he is electric and he is capable of taking it to the house every time with his skill set. Along with all these impressive traits, he catches the ball great as well. Bryant is a receiver that can play outside and in the slot.

Bryant reminded me of Peter Warrick when he was at Florida State. Warrick was more quick than fast as well and also was explosive with the ball in his hands. USC will be hoping Bryant can have a career at USC similar to what Warrick had at Florida State.

In Bo Nix, Oregon has a veteran quarterback who understands the importance of distributing the ball to pressure the defense. The acquisition of another talented receiver with experience in high-level competition just makes the Duck offense even more potent.