TomVH: An Interview with Chris Bryant

Submitted by TomVH on

Illinois OL Chris Bryant (4 Star, 6'5", 320 lbs) is on his way home from a recent trip out to Pitt and Michigan. His visit to Michigan lasted longer than expected, and his family ended up staying the night in Ann Arbor. Here's some film on Chris (it says he's 2012, but he's not), and what he told me about his visit to Pitt and his first meeting with Brady Hoke.

TOM: How did the Pitt visit come about, what made you decide to go out there?

CHRIS: The offensive coordinator from Michigan (Calvin Magee) got the job at Pitt, and we had a good relationship before. He wanted me to check it out and come see what they have to offer. The coaching staff was great there, and it was a nice place.

TOM: And after that you and your parents swung by Michigan to meet with Brady Hoke and (Offensive line coach) Darrell Funk. How did that go?

CHRIS: It was good. We sat down with both coaches individually and were just building a new relationship. They told me they knew me as a player, but not as a person so we were just having regular conversation trying to get to know each other. I talked with them and coach Singletary, too.

TOM: What were each of them saying as far as their offense and how you'd fit in?

CHRIS: Coach Hoke was telling me about the new pro style offense, a lot of schools run that and Michigan used to run it. Coach Funk was telling me how I would fit in their with it. I don't mind either the spread or the pro style. I don't prefer one over the other. We mixed it up in high school so that's not a problem. They were basically just telling me Michigan is still Michigan. I knew how the school is run and how academics go, so it was just building a relationship with them.

TOM: Did you and your parents come away comfortable with the coaches after the meeting?

CHRIS: My parents are both comfortable, and so am I. They asked their questions and said it was a great conversation overall. I feel comfortable with him too. He was a funny guy, he's a player's coach. He's someone that you would want to coach you.

TOM: Feeling comfortable with the coaching staff now, do you still feel the same way about Michigan overall?

CHRIS: I had a good relationship with the coaches there before, but coaching is a business. It's just an adjustment and you need to go on with it. Michigan is Michigan, and they're not going to just bring anyone in. I still really like Michigan.

TOM: When you make your announcement on the 28th what hats will you have on the table?

CHRIS: I'm not sure yet, but I might do three hats, I might do four and go with Michigan, Arizona, Pitt, and Illinois. I'm not sure yet.

Comments

Blue Blue Blue

January 17th, 2011 at 11:06 PM ^

Hoke is going to make the offense fit Denard, and he has said that a few times.  It will be "pro style" which means it will include multiple looks.  Michael Vick never ran a spread offense, and he is very much the model for Denard.

stop trolling for trouble.  stop being negative because it feels good.

Wolfman

January 18th, 2011 at 12:16 AM ^

I don't think this was intended to infere that M was going to return to the "Old" style pro offense; rather if you have been watching the NFL, it's hard to ignore the fact that their is a VERY NEW PRO STYLE offense, designed to take advantage of every offensive weapon available, and much of it involves spreading out the defense.

An offense so productive at the top of the collegite level is bound to make a few professional OCs try some of the tricks, and when they found out they work at that level, well let's just say the NFL has evolved offensively also.

It would be a catasphore of the most egregious nature to harness Denard's talent, and I don't believe for a moment, especially w/Hoke wanting to hit the ground running, he'll do anything that might even threaten to mitigate the unparralled talent of this young man.

We'll spread the receivers for sure, although we'll employ probably one slot, and will always have a tight end.  But there will be rollout options of pass/run/pitch, etc., and don't be surprised to see some of RR's option read on the DE also. Afterall, it did prove damn effective.  Nothing wrong, in my opinion, in giving the defense as many offensive looks as possible.

I'll go on record now as saying, Expect It.