Former Illini WR Pat Bryant is generating hype ahead of his rookie season. The 3rd round pick plays for the Denver Broncos, and pre-season camp has gone well so far.
A top Denver Broncos beat writer, Zac Stevens, wrote on X, “Pat Bryant continues to prove he’s legit. Gets open. Catches the ball. Smart. He’s going to play a lot this year.”
Bryant is 6’2 and 204 pounds; in college, he was used as “home-run” threat and would catch deep shots.
In 2024, he tied Illinois’ single season touchdown record with 10. And was a major reason Illinois went 9-3 in the regular season and went to the Citrus Bowl.
Bryant isn’t the fastest player, but he’s physical and had a big catch radius. Even if a defender was closely on him, Bryant had a knack for making plays.
Now, he’s on an improving Denver Broncos team, who went 10-7 last season and made the playoffs.
They’re led by head coach Sean Payton, the former Super Bowl winning coach with the New Orleans Saints and considered a strong offensive mind.
And quarterback Bo Nix, the 2nd year player from Oregon who threw for 29 touchdowns last season — the 6th most in the NFL.