STARKVILLE — Brandon Bryant is usually in the right place at the right time.
The Mississippi State football safety proved that as a redshirt freshman last season and he developed a reputation of being a playmaker.
Fans became used to Bryant making big play after big play, whether it was an interception, a forced fumble or making the big tackle in open space.
His teammates get to see it every day. Senior linebacker Richie Brown recalls Bryant intercepting a bubble pass in the first week of training camp last week.
“It was tipped and he just scooped it off the ground real fast and athletically. He’s got a lot of ability and I think he’ll have a really good year this year,” Brown said.
Bryant exceeded expectations last season. He played in all 13 games and started the final eight games after Kendrick Market suffer a career-ending knee injury. He finished third among Southeastern Conference freshmen and first among SEC freshmen defensive backs with 63 tackles. He led MSU and SEC freshmen with three interceptions, including a 73-yard return for a touchdown against Louisiana Tech. Bryant had 2.0 tackles for loss, six passes defended and one forced fumble, but wasn’t named to the All-SEC Freshman team.
There were times when he didn’t look like a redshirt freshman and played above his experience level. With a solid season, the Tunica native has high expectations for this season. With a new defensive coaching staff and changes to scheme, there are many questions for that side of the ball, but one of the biggest involves Bryant: can he build on a solid redshirt year?
Bryant’s success validated what he already thought: he can compete and be successful at the Division I level. That fueled his spring and summer workouts. He has the letters “NDO” tattooed on his arm. They stand for “no days off.”
“You have to train hard every day,” Bryant said. “In the summer, you have to train hard for moments like this. At camp, it’s different things than running and conditioning.”
Bryant went through practice during his redshirt year, but last fall camp was different because he knew he was going to play. He is attacking this training camp differently and trying to build on the groundwork he has already laid.
First-year safeties coach Maurice Linguist has been impressed with Bryant’s work ethic so far and understands that each season is independent. He doesn’t want Bryant to get comfortable with the success he had last season.
“I think the best thing you can do as a football player, as a coach, as a reporter, as anything you do in life, is just keep an edge about yourself,” Linguist said. “Familiarity breeds contempt. When you get comfortable with things, you get relaxed. When you get relaxed, you will get beat. You have to keep an edge about yourself every day, try to work at a high level and keep expectations high for yourself.
“He’s got an edge about himself. He’s confident because he has some demonstrated ability and also, he’s got some knowledge of the game. The best thing he does, he brings a physical playmaking presence right now.”
Bryant said the reason he is a good playmaker is because he soaks up all the knowledge he can from his coaches and veterans. He watches an abundant amount of film to put himself in the right position.
The 6-foot, 215-pound Bryant has run a 4.25 in the 40-yard dash, begging the question, is being a playmaker learned or something an athlete is born with?
“I think it’s a little bit of both,” Brown said. “He’s really fast, he’s instinctual and he’s a good ballplayer. I think he’s learned where to be. I think it’s a combination of both.”
Along with increased duties on the field, Bryant is considered a leader by Linguist. He has help in senior Kivon Coman, but many look to Bryant. During practices, he always has a positive attitude and is ready to tackle the next rep.
“We’ve got a long way to go, he’s got a lot of good football ahead of him, but he’s bringing a positive presence from a leadership standpoint and a positive presence from a playmaking standpoint, which is good when you see those two things mesh together,” Linguist said. “Usually what it does, you’ll have a guy that can raise the confidence of a group.”
Bryant said his infectious spirit is a product of him playing with “swag.” He said he has always had confidence in his ability and has always had a confident air. He isn’t arrogant or pompous and doesn’t talk trash on the field. He lets his play do his talking.
“It’s just something that’s built into you,” Bryant said. “Swag and confidence, you have to do what you have to do when you step on the field.”
All signs point to Bryant building on last season and having an even better sophomore campaign. With two new starting cornerbacks and a change over in the defensive staff, his playmaking skills will be needed and his teammates will be looking to him.
“I’m sure he’ll have a better year this year. He’s been doing really well and we have high hopes for him,” Brown said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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