Speedster Gary Bryant Jr. Could Be Difference-Maker for Oregon
Junior Adams has done a total re-configuration of the wide receiver room. However there is one piece the Ducks are looking to add that could impact the roster this Fall.
In the last recruiting cycle, Oregon landed a pair of outstanding pass-catchers at the prep level. Oregon fans are anxious to see the arrival of 5-Star Jurrion Dickey and the growth of 4-Star Ashton Cozart. While Dickey has yet to arrive at Oregon since signing, Cozart was able to enroll early and join the team for Spring.
In the transfer portal he found success adding former Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden and former Troy wide receiver Tez Johnson. Oregon found success with transfer Chase Cota last season. Although his stats weren’t eye-popping, Cota came up big in several big situations and was counted on by Bo Nix.
Oregon lost Dont’e Thornton in the transfer portal ultimately leaving the Ducks with Troy Franklin as the lone returning starter among receivers.
New Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein has been open about his offense and his ability to spread the ball around amongst multiple receivers in it. That’s been a very attractive selling point to wide receivers since his arrival.
One of the key components on offense is speed. Speed in the backfield, speed at receiver. While Oregon has worked on adding that element, there is still plenty of room for more additions.
For Oregon, one of those answers is former USC wide receiver Gary Bryant. The Ducks have made Bryant a priority in this recruiting cycle which has resulted in an official visit and remaining a favorite as he enters decision time.
But why would Bryant be a good fit at Oregon?
We don’t need to pretend he’s uber-talented. He is. And while his stats might not catch your eye from the 2022 season, there was a glimmer of that talent in 2021. Bryant caught 44 balls for 7 touchdowns and an impressive 13.2 YPC average.
He’s got the short-area quickness to add a dynamic element to this offense. Point-being, if Bryant can get open, Bo Nix will find him and Will Stein will get him the ball. It could be the kind of fresh start for Bryant to re-vamp his college career.
“He came from UTEP, he almost had 3 receivers go for 1,000 yards, they only didn’t because of injury. So that’s what he wants to do at Oregon but also keep that run game going. Three receivers going for 1,000 yards, that’s mind-blowing.”
For Bryant, the opportunity to walk into a starting role is there. Not to mention you’d get to catch passes from one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, let alone the Pac-12. Bo Nix put up career numbers last season at Oregon and is poised to have an even bigger year this season.
“The QB situation has to be good and an offensive-minded coach that gets the receivers the ball. We got a chance to talk after practice and sit down and eat for lunch. Dude was very involved. I was able to ask him questions off the field. I really like what I heard.”
The one element most aren’t talking about is what could really put Bryant on the map. Oregon has been lackluster in the return game for several seasons now. The ability to change your starting position on offense is a massive element. It’s one of the keys to any offensive success rate.
Bryant could be a huge weapon for Oregon in the return game. A competition I’m certain remains wide open this Spring for Dan Lanning.
I know fans are excited about Bryant and his ability catching passes, as they should be. But what could make him a real force for the Ducks is the combination of him at receiver and potentially as a kick returner.
While Junior Adams has done a great job with the wide receiver room at Oregon since his arrival, there is still plenty of room for a player like Bryant. He fills a big need for the Ducks in a number of ways and could be one of the missing pieces on offense.
The Ducks remain one of his finalists with a decision expected later this month.
