Emerging Stars: USC Offensive Watch List - Gary Bryant Jr.

Earlier this week we began our series “Emerging Stars: USC 2020 Offensive Watch List” spotlighting freshman WR Bru McCoy as one of the players we believe could emerge as star player for the Trojans this season.

McCoy was one of the most highly recruited prospects for the 2019 recruiting class and was forced to redshirt last season, opening up opportunities for guys like Drake London‍ and Munir McClain‍ to step up. McClain also ended up missing most of the 2019 season after a season ending knee injury versus Arizona. But London became one of those “Emerging Stars” like we're focusing our attention on again this season. 

Freshman wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. will be our second player spotlighted.

I was first introduced to Bryant Jr. by Darick Holmes of Proway. Holmes’s son Darnay Holmes played at UCLA and signed with the New York Giants earlier this year. In fact, Holmes introduced me to USC OLB Drake Jackson‍ that same March day at Pasadena Muir HS.

The next time I saw Bryant Jr. was the following week when an acrobatic wide receiver kept making grabs only Elite athletes could. My eyes weren't working well enough to recognize Bryant Jr., so I asked Holmes who it was. 

“That's Gary Bryant man,” he said with a smile. “That's who I introduced you to last week."

To make a long story short, that was the day I began never doubting one my favorite dudes, Darick Holmes. He knows talent, he knows I cover the USC Football Team and doesn't introduce me to kids who aren't Power 5 caliber. The day Bryant was grabbing balls out of the air at the Passing Down 7V7 like current Ohio St. WR Garrett Wilson, was the day I would've offered him. 

Below was my evaluation of Bryant we added to his USC commitment article.

"Bryant Jr. was one of the most athletically gifted wide receivers for 2020. He’s acrobatic, has an impressive vertical, high points the ball extremely well, has track speed, already runs routes like a college upper classman and a coach will never have to worry about him on or off the field. I believe he's be ready to make an impact at USC as a true freshman.”

Not sure how many times I saw Bryant Jr. play for Corona (CA) Centennial, but he never disappointed, despite the Huskies not throwing the ball as much as other top prep offenses. 

As you can see, Bryant is a deep threat and can stretch the field in an Air-Raid offense like the Trojans run under offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. He is unique in that regard among an extremely talented group of wide receivers at USC.

USC wide receiver coach Keary Colbert had the perfect description for Bryant and what he adds to his wide receiver room.

"Gary adds explosive, playmaking ability to the WR Room. His versatility is a great asset to our offense. He can play inside WR, outside WR or in the backfield. He’s a homerun threat every time the ball is in his hands,” said Colbert.

But Bryant Jr. is also a tireless worker and someone who doesn't cheat or take short cuts in his quest to become an Elite collegiate and eventually an NFL wide receiver. He arrived at USC in January hovering around the 165 pound mark.

After three months working with USC Strength & Conditioning Coach Aaron Ausmus before CovId-19 hit, then with Dennis Jackson and Gary Bryant Sr. during the shutdown period, he arrived on campus earlier this month weighing in at 175. That's the weight Keary Colbert would like Bryant to play at this season.

As you can see below, all of the added weight is good weight. Bryant Jr. is bigger and stronger than ever and look for him to get significant playing time in 2020.

GARY BRYANT JR HIGHLIGHTS: