2020 Senior Bowl Day 1: FAU TE Harrison Bryant looking to prove he’s capable

MOBILE, Ala — Day 1 of the 2020 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama is nearly in the books as over 100 draft prospects took the stage on Tuesday to showcase their talents in front of the media and NFL scouts. Many prospects have a ton to prove, but even after winning the Mackey Award — the award given to the best tight end in the country —, now-former Florida Atlantic University tight end Harrison Bryant feels he has plenty to prove moving forward as the draft quickly approaches.

Coming into his freshman year, Bryant was the recruit in his class, constantly having to prove himself day-in-and-day-out. While spectators may have not believed the Mackey award winner would have accomplished what he did, he certainly believe in himself.

Bryant was one of the most productive tight ends in the country this past season after compiling over 65 receptions for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games this year. Becoming the first FAU player in history to be a unanimous All American in 2019. The best is yet to come for Bryant who says he talked with the Jacksonville Jaguars “a little bit” when asked about a meeting on Tuesday.

Bryant hopes to make an impact similar to the two players gearing to play in the Super Bowl — George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) and Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs). “The two best tight ends in the league are in the Super Bowl so that’s obviously an exciting thing to see,” Kittle told reporters on Tuesday. “To know that they’re in the offense — both the best in the league in just producing for their team and making it to the Super Bowl.”

While Bryant, 6-4, 242 pounds, with 31 ¹⁄₄ inch arms projects as more of an h-back, or F (slot) position on a team’s offense, he feels he can play a multitude of positions, and he plans to show that this week. “I feel that I can do both, in-line, h-back, slot, flex, anything, whatever they ask me I’m willing to do, and I feel like I’m capable of that.”

The biggest question that has been asked of Bryant was to show he’s capable. “I’m just hoping to go out today and throughout the rest of the week and just prove that I’m capable of [doing it].”

This week means the world for the tight end who is currently projected to be around a third-round pick similar to his former teammate and roommate Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary. When asked about the importance of this week by Big Cat Country, Bryant was candid — it’s huge. coming from FAU a non-power five, just coming down and proving that my abilities — against lesser talent in those games, just to come down and prove that I’m capable and athletic enough to compete with all these guys.”

During South team one-on-one drills, Bryant beat Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger on a deep nine route. Bryant hauled in a beautiful pass from now-former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert for a ‘touchdown’. Something Bryant was used to at Florida Atlantic.

While the FAU tight end has a lot to prove in the coming weeks and months, one thing for certain, he likes what he’s seen from his friend Singletary, seeing him excel at the highest level and being drafted in the third round is a “good look,” he says.

“We’re really close and he still keeps in contact, kinda fills me in on how everything goes but just to see the success he’s had and how his game has translated from college to the NFL is a good look and helps me out a lot too.”

The Jaguars will want to address the tight end position at some point in the draft, and Bryant might be one of the many they have their eyes set on.