TomVH: Chris Bryant Ready for the Next Step

Submitted by TomVH on

There probably isn't a more anticipated position group for the Michigan coaches to get on campus than the 2011 offensive line commitments. With only three signed in the class they need all the depth they can get. When Illinois lineman Chris Bryant announced his commitment to Michigan it was a sigh of relief for the fans and coaches alike. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound guard waited all the way until January 28th to announce that decision and chose Michigan over the likes of Arizona, Illinois, Pittsburgh, and Stanford.

Chris BryantNow that Chris is only a week away from making the trek to Ann Arbor to start his new journey he says it's all starting to become real. "It hasn't really hit me yet, I don't think it will really hit me until I get down there," he said. "We're moving in on the 25th, I'm not going to be there this weekend [the 17th] with Jordan because I want to spend time with my family. The whole process is something you dream about and it doesn't even seem real yet." While everything is sinking in, Bryant has already started to think about what he's most excited for once he gets to campus. "I think seeing my name in the locker room, and having it be official. Putting on that winged helmet and just being a part of all that tradition is just exciting," said Bryant.

Often times offensive linemen can have one of the more difficult transitions from high school to college. Their training both on the field and off the field can be drastically different, which is why Bryant is trying to follow everything by the books. "It's a big jump from high school and a lot of work, but I'm trying to do the workout book they sent me," he said. "They want me up there at 335 pounds and I'm at 340 right now. The conditioning was the toughest part but that's preparing for the next level." 

Preparing his body is only one part of the process for Chris, and he also understands that he will have a huge adjustment to make in his academic and social life. "I'm going to try to balance my time with all the things being around my class, the weight room, in everything I do balance will play a big part in that," he said.

As Bryant gets closer to joining the Wolverine family he's had plenty of time to reflect on his journey. The recruiting process was long and sometimes tiresome for Bryant which is why he's passed on some of his knowledge to teammate Jordan Diamond. "I waited everything out and took my time, which was good and bad. It got to be really long for me," Bryant said. "It's Jordan's decision and he has a lot of offers from great football schools and great academic schools, but I tell him Michigan has both. He grew up a Michigan fan, so that makes it a little easier, but he'll make the right choice."

Bryant may not be nudging Diamond to join him in Ann Arbor, but the sheer fact that he'll be there makes it a little more comfortable for Jordan without saying anything. Having close friends and family close by makes it easier for anyone to adjust, and that holds true for Bryant as well. "When I went up there for the spring game that's when a lot of kids in my class went up and we all just bonded. We are really close, and there's not one person that I bonded with more than another. It's just a big family there and that's what's special about it," he said. Chris will be rooming with fellow 2011 signee TE Chris Barnett once he gets to Ann Arbor, and said that he's ready for everything in front of him. 

Comments

sheepman

June 16th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^

Chris sounds like a great kid - humble and serious about school. This is exactly what we need. 

Oh - and this quote makes me feel very good about JD -

"It's Jordan's decision and he has a lot of offers from great football schools and great academic schools, but I tell him Michigan has both. He grew up a Michigan fan, so that makes it a little easier, but he'll make the right choice."

There is no school like Michigan - Chris. Sounds like you get it. Time to make sure everyone gets it.

Go Blue!

MGoShoe

June 16th, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^

...is spot on.

"It's Jordan's decision and he has a lot of offers from great football schools and great academic schools, but I tell him Michigan has both."

Magnus

June 16th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^

Bryant is the best player in the class, in my opinion.  Hopefully he paves the way for a series of 1,000-yard backs in the next 3-5 years.

Six Zero

June 16th, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^

that really captures not only the emotion of any HS grad about to embark on the next great challenge, but also the feelings of a young man about to see a lifelong dream come to fruition.

Godspeed, Chris Bryant, and remember that every challenge you face will make you better, stronger, faster, and wiser.  Winners endure.

wresler120

June 16th, 2011 at 10:02 PM ^

will be a beast. Now we just need Jordan Diamond to follow him on in. Dimaond at tackle and Bryant at Guard .... How could Diamond resist playing with his old teammate?

rockydude

June 17th, 2011 at 12:25 AM ^

Chris seems like he is the nicest guy in the world off the field, a big happy bear. But I also get the feeling that if you are on the field, he'll flatten you and then jump up and down on your squished remains. Heck of a combination for a lineman.

And making things better, Magnuson absolutely seems to share those qualities too . . . 

Also, I was just looking, and before Bryant even committed to us, he could bench 400. Maybe he really is part bear. He is either a very large man, or a relatively compact bear. I'm not sure which . . .