Jacques Bryant
Jacques Bryant was the highlight of Florida A&M University’s pro day Wednesday afternoon. The first team All-MEAC safety put up tremendous numbers, ranking Bryant top 10 at his position in a number of categories.
Bryant started off his pro day impressing scouts by showing them how strong he was, as he benched 225 lbs 23 times. He then posted a high of the day in the broad jump at 11 inches and vertical jump of 41 inches. In the outside drills, Bryant ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash and excelled in the back peddling and cone drills. Two Tampa Bay Buccaneer position coaches witnessed Bryant's talents as they organized the drills and exercises for the Pro Day.
“I feel blessed. I came out here and did what I was supposed to do. My goal coming out was to make sure I jump 40 and above, bench more than 20, broad jump more than 10, and run faster than a 4.4/4.5. I accomplished all those goals so everything I did today was great,” said Bryant. He also gave credit to FAMU strength and conditioning coach, Parker Brooks, who has helped his development as player to a bigger, stronger, and faster standpoint.
In his senior year, Bryant led the Rattlers (4-7, 4-4 MEAC) with 75 tackles (20 solo) which is 29 more tackles than any Rattler on the team. Bryant anchored a Rattler secondary that was seventh in the FCS in passing yards allowed per game (162.7), he also was one of three Rattlers with four interceptions in 2016. Bryant contributions to the Rattlers date all the way back to 2014 when he appeared in 11 games and recorded 59 total tackles (43 solos), two quarterback sacks, and one pass interception for 22 return yards.
At 6'0 190 lbs, Bryant has the ideal size for a safety in the NFL. His ball skills, instincts, and speed are what scouts will fall in love with. The fact that the MEAC conference is viewed as a low level of competition may affect what round Bryant is drafted in. The last FAMU football player drafted was Brandon Hepburn in 2013 by the Detroit Lions in the 7th round.
Even if Bryant is not drafted, many scouts believe that he has a chance at landing a spot on an NFL roster. Akil Blount, a linebacker from last year's Rattler team spent time on the Miami Dolphins roster in the preseason and was later picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bryant looks to use the momentum from the pro day into getting drafted April 27th-29th. When asked “what’s next” in the post workout interview, Bryant stated, “it’s in God's hands, whatever God feels…is going to happen.”
Bryant voiced that no matter what may happen in his future he is going to always be a die hard rattler fan, and will always bleed orange and green!