Interview: 4-Star 2020 WR Gary Bryant Covers Season and Upcoming Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Year after year, opposing Division I California high school football teams scheme ahead of time in hopes of slowing down four-star 2020 receiver Gary Bryant but little has worked in the planning. The 5-11, 165-pound, speedster broke free for 863 yards off 48 receptions as a sophomore and followed that up with a 40-reception 905-yard 11-TD season in 2018. Adding to his play-maker status, he carried the pigskin four times for 74 yards with a score and took back two punts for 124 more all-purpose yards helping earn All-League MVP honors. The Centennial High School (Corona) talent now has 17 offers turning the corner on taking the recruiting process to a serious level.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with Bryant getting the inside scoop on his season along with his recruiting process and potential upcoming visits.
Interview
Gary, Centennial was once again one of the best teams not only in California but in the nation. You had to lock up against the other team’s best corner every time out. How did that challenge help push your game forward in 2018?
“It motivated me to keep training to be the best I can be. I always have to prepare for the other team’s best and/or going through a double-team. I view it as respect for what I can do on the field.”
How did most teams try to cover you?
“It depended on the team. If the other team had a good corner, like Elias Ricks for Mater Dei, then we would go one-on-one. All the other teams had a corner on me and safety over the top or they would have a safety and nickelback on me and sometimes they would have a linebacker helping out.”
Were there any funny back-and-forth conversations between you and opposing defenders trying to get you off your game?
“Oh yeah, there was a lot of talking in every game. I would hear a lot of ‘you can’t catch the ball on me or you are weak’, but it was all in fun. We’d always shake hands after the game.”
What were some of the many ways Coach Matt Logan worked to get you the ball within the scheme this past season?
“Fly sweeps and jet sweeps, two-yard outs, and hitches. On kick returns they’d kick it to the other guy and he’d bring it to me. The coaches worked in a lot of different ways to get me the ball.”
How do you feel your overall game improved in 2018?
“I feel my deep threat improved a lot. I was getting the ball deep a lot this year. My releases off the line and getting separation from the defender improved. I improved at making myself and easier target for my QBs.”
The goal in the offseason is always to improve, what all might you work on this season heading into your senior year?
“This offseason my main focus is gaining weight. I want to be between 180 to 185 pounds when the season begins. I have to have the college body if I want to play as a freshman. I have been running hills to maintain my speed with my weight gain.”
How many offers do you have now?
“I have 17 offers.”
Which programs were the last two to offer you?
“Oklahoma and Kansas State.”
Bryant’s offer sheet: Florida, UCLA, Oregon, Cal, Arizona, Nebraska, Colorado, BYU, Oregon State, Arizona State, Washington State, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Utah, USC, and Washington
Nice. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Ohio State, LSU, and Stanford.”
Since the 2018 season began to now, did you get a chance to visit any schools?
“Yes. I took visits to USC and Arizona State.”
How did the USC visit go?
“It was a very good visit. I was there for a game. I got to see the campus and I got to talk to the coaches. I loved the coaches.”
And what about ASU, how did that visit go?
“It was great. We went out there for a game. I talked to coaching staff and to some of the players – they told me about the program. I loved it there.”
Do you have any planned visits in the coming months?
“Yes. I may to Oklahoma in April for their spring game and I might visit Notre Dame and Nebraska.”
That will be fun. Last couple of questions. Have you watched any bowl games, if so, which games have you watched?
“I watched the Oregon against Michigan State game, that was a competitive game, and I watched Washington against Ohio State, that was a pretty good game. Washington put on a late comeback. I liked how Washington tried to get their playmakers into the game.”
Last one. The National Championship Game is set, Clemson taking on Alabama. Who do you think will win?
“Alabama. They do it all. They are an NFL college team. They are big, strong, and fast. They can do it all.”
Hard to argue against that. Gary, as always, I appreciate your time today. Good luck with the rest of your workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Bryant family; Gary Bryant at ASU