2 weeks Ago
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The call is coming. Unlikely Thursday night.
He hopes Friday night. Worst case, Saturday. When Pat Bryant’s phone rings with an unfamiliar number at the other end, it will be an NFL coach or general manager asking: “Pat, do you want to come play for X?” The answer will be a loud “yes,” followed by shouts and hugs with family and friends.
Having watched it play out for former Illinois players since 1989, it never gets old for this sportswriter. The joy is real and enduring. It’s a moment they will never forget.
Bryant finished his Illinois career with a strong senior season, setting himself up for this week’s NFL draft. When Bryant skipped the Citrus Bowl to prepare for the NFL combine, everyone at Illinois was understanding and supportive. Kind of a “do what you’ve got to do” sentiment.
Bret Bielema’s players and coaches want Bryant to succeed at a high level. Draft projections have Bryant being selected in the middle to late rounds. If he is, it’ll mark the second straight year an Illini wide receiver is picked in the NFL draft after the Atlanta Falcons took Casey Washington in the sixth round of the 2024 draft.
Before that, 12 years had passed since an Illinois receiver went off the board to an NFL team. A.J.
Jenkins had that honor when San Francisco took him in the first round in the 2012 draft. Other Illini receivers drafted this century include Arrelious Benn (2010, second round, Tampa Bay), Walter Young (2003, seventh round, Carolina) and Brandon Lloyd (2003, fourth round, San Francisco). That’s it.
Historically, Lloyd had the most productive career of any former Illinois receiver, catching 399 passes for 5,989 yards and 36 touchdowns in 11 seasons. The first three years of his Illinois career, Bryant worked with position coach George McDonald. After McDonald left for Mississippi, Justin Stepp took over as Illinois receivers coach.
Stepp feels good about Bryant’s path. “I’ve been fortunate to coach some good ones that have been in that same spot,” Stepp said. “He’s got all the tools.
Whoever drafts him, their organization is going to get better the day Pat Bryant steps in there. He’ll make everybody in the organization better.” Stepp saw Bryant’s game grow.
“(McDonald) had done a good job with him before I got here,” Stepp said. “Each coach is different and each coach is going to emphasize some different stuff. “Pat was already really polished.
The thing about Pat Bryant was he didn’t know me from Adam, outside of me recruiting him when I was at Arkansas. I just can’t speak enough about how coachable he was. He got better at whatever we asked him to do.
It’s all going to pay off. I’m excited for him.” Bryant’s affect on the Illinois receivers will continue for years.
“He set the standard,” Stepp said. “He was the first one in the building (at the Smith Center). It’s hard to beat Coach Bielema in this building, but Pat would always walk in with Coach.
” His work habits extended beyond the early arrival. “Just his routine to even get ready for practice,” Stepp said. “The cold tubs, the hot tubs, then coming back after practice to watch extra film and doing all the little things.
“He was a pro even before this weekend.” Stepp plans to be in Florida with Bryant for the draft. “It’s pretty cool to watch a kid achieve his dreams,” Stepp said.
“Nobody deserves it more than Pat Bryant for what he’s poured into this program. Everything he did for Illinois is pretty special.” What was Stepp’s favorite Bryant play from the 2024 season? Hard to beat his game-winning touchdown catch at Rutgers last November.
“He was typically in the slot and switched and got outside to catch that dagger,” Stepp said. “I still can’t believe that play happened. That was pretty special deal.
That was just Pat being in the right place and taking over.” Stepp isn’t worried about where Bryant plays next. It will work out.
“Just get him in a uniform,” Stepp said. Art Sitkowski first got to know Bryant as an Illinois player. Now, he is the team’s co-quarterback coach.
Sitkowski is a big fan. Of the receiver and the person. “I’m really excited for Pat,” Sitkowski said.
“To see his growth from when he first got here to where he is now.” Former Illinois receiver Isaiah Williams, who ranks among the best in school history, showed Bryant the way to work and lead. “Pat Bryant did the same thing,” Sitkowski said.
“Our culture and tradition is awesome. “I expect Pat to do great things. What makes Pat special is what’s in between his ears.
Obviously, he’s very physical gifted, but his preparation, the way he cares about his players, the way he blocks on perimeter, it’s going to feed to whatever organization he goes to.”.
