Tuesday, June 7, 2011

2011 Countdown: #83 Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant
Name: Chris Bryant
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 330 lbs.
High school: Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, IL
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #58
Last year: Bryant was a high school senior (commitment post here)

TTB Rating: 87

I'm an unabashed fan of Bryant.  He might be one of those boom-or-bust prospects, but I'm leaning toward boom.  He's a huge kid with a mean streak on the football field.  My hope is that he can get and keep his weight and conditioning in a good enough spot to be a game-changing offensive guard.  The talent is there.  What happens from January through August is the biggest question.

With all my high hopes aside, I still think Bryant should redshirt in 2011.  Michigan is stacked with experienced guards (four players who are redshirt juniors), and playing the young guy this year would be a waste.  Bryant is the most college-ready of the freshman linemen, but ideally, all three will watch from the sideline this season.

Prediction: Redshirt

3 comments:

  1. Bryant is the most valuable and important recruit in the 2011 class. Though a case could be made for Wile as well, the need for OL becomes enormous in 2013, so hopefully Bryant is a RS Sophomore that year and ready to be a 3-year starter. There's a ton of depth at OG in the next 2 seasons (though not OT), so it's in everyone's best interest to extend his eligibility. Cross you fingers for a RS because the long-term picture on OL is dicey right now.

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  2. Any chance he could play RT? If the coaches do not believe Schofield is an ideal RT in terms of bulk, maybe Bryant's path to playing time would be quicker there. I hope that he is able to redshirt as well.

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  3. @ Painter Smurf 3:28 p.m.

    I do think that he COULD play RT in a pinch, but he would be like Rueben Riley playing right tackle. He could do it without being atrocious, but his build is that of a guard.

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