Interview: 2017 Washington 4-Star TE Hunter Bryant Poses too many Mismatch Problems at Tight End for Opposition
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The tight ends coming up through the ranks in the 2017 class are dynamic. Guys like Brock Wright (Notre Dame), Jimmy Jaggers (undecided), Matt Dotson (undecieded), Colby Parkinson (Stanford), and Cole Kmet (Notre Dame) are sure to be a force at the next level. One 4-star recruit who plays the position like a linebacker, runs like a bulldozing running back, but catches the ball like a 5-star wide receiver is Hunter Bryant.
One would be hard pressed to find a better pass catching tight end than Bryant, and doing so would be splitting hairs. Bryant can line up with a hand down on the ground in a tight formation and has proven to be too much for linebackers, corners, or safeties to cover out of the slot.
Eastside Catholic had a season to remember in 2015 running the table with a 13-0 record beating Bellevue 48-42 in a thrilling championship final. The Sammamish area talent was nearly unstoppable forming an amazing one-two punch with wide receiver teammate Matt Laris. Laris, who signed with Cal as part of the 2016 class, had 67 receptions for 1,098 yards with 10 scores and Bryant blistered opposing Washington defenses for 1,137 yards off 48 receptions with 17 touchdowns.
College coaches that utilize the tight end in their offense at the next level have been quick to jump on Bryant. The 6’3”, 235 pound, pass catching phenom has offers from Washington, UCLA, Utah, Penn State, Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Auburn, Arizona, Nebraska, and Washington State with more sure to come the longer he is on recruiting’s open market.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with the 4-star recruit to talk about his junior season, his offseason schedule, and received a recruiting update.
Interview
Hunter, Eastside Catholic was loaded with talent last year. Brandon Wellington went to Washington, wide receiver Matt Laris to Cal, linebacker Noah Failauga signed with San Jose State, and quarterback Harley Kirsch got a free ride with Cornell. With all of that talent gone, how does the team look heading into 2016?
“Our team looks really good. Going through offseason workouts, I think overall we are stronger and faster. I think we will be better than last year. We have a junior quarterback (Zach Lewis) who is one of the best in the nation. He is one of the best I have thrown with and I’ve have received a lot of passes from a lot of quarterbacks. We have athletes all over the field. I think we will be really good this year.”
You and Matt Laris put up some great numbers last year. Was that a fun teammate rivalry going back and forth on receptions, yards, and touchdowns?
“Yeah, we always had a competition within the team. Competing makes us better. We were competing in a good way. Every catch we pulled in we would try to score.”
You started as a sophomore right?
“Yes.”
From your sophomore year to your junior year, what were some of the strides you made on improving your game?
“Coming into my sophomore year I played running back. I switched to tight end later. As a receiving tight end – my routes were not as good during my sophomore year as they are now. I know how to play the position now. From my sophomore to junior year I became a better receiver and route runner. Since I played running back, once I get the ball in my hand I specialize in yards after the catch.”
Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last season?
“I was All-Metro.”
You did not earn All-State?
“No. I was named a Scout All-American on their Junior All-American team but I was not named on the All-State team.”
Wow. Okay. I’ll move along. What are your goals for the 2016 football season?
“Overall, my goal is to win another state championship and help my team. We have a young team. I’ll be a leader on the team and help how I can. I want to get my game better with my fundamentals, technique, and all of that as well.”
How will your role expand next season?
“I was talking to my coach about that. They are going to put me in a lot of places – X, slot, at quarterback in the Wildcat, at running back, and I will play some defensive end next year.”
What are you working on in the offseason for your senior year?
“Right now I’m really just working on my overall strength. I’m trying to get my body college ready. I want to be able to play as a freshman. I’m training to be ready for college ball. I’m working on blocking, route running, and everything else as well.”
Do you have a bench press max or squat max you can share?
“My bench max is 300 and my squat is 400.”
Have you posted a 40-yard dash time?
“No. I have never ran a 40-yard dash.”
Which schools are showing the most interest in you right now?
“UDUB (Washington) is showing a lot of interest. UCLA, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, but Oklahoma has not offered me yet.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?
“I have been to UDUB. I have been there a lot. They are close to home. I have also been to Wazzu (Washington State), UCLA, and USC.”
How did your visit to UCLA go?
“That went really well. I met the coaches for the first time. I met with Coach (Marques) Tuiasosopo (quarterbacks coach), Coach (Kennedy) Polamalu (offensive coordinator), and Coach (Jim) Mora (head coach). I loved the coaching staff down there. I had a strong connection with the coaches.”
How did USC go for you?
“That went good too. I toured their facilities and campus a little bit. I talked to some of the coaches. They said they are at the beginning of the recruiting process with me. They might offer me later. I don’t know yet.”
I’m sure you have answered a lot of questions about UDUB so, how did your trip to Wazzu go?
“That went good too. I talk to those coaches a lot. That was my first time there. Their facilities are nice. Everything is brand new. Their team is good and coming up. I think they were 9-3 last year and lost a couple in crunch time. I love their offense. They want me as inside and outside receiver there.”
Do you have a timeframe on making a decision where you will play your college ball?
“I don’t have a specific timeframe. I will commit when it is right. I will talk to my family about it. When it is the right time, I will commit.”
What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?
“One thing that is really important to me is the connection the coaches. I want that family feel. I will be there for three to four years. I want a good relationship with the coaches and organization. That is most important to me.”
Are you going to release a Top 5 list or something like that?
“I might put one out before my senior year if I have not already committed.”
Are you going to any college camps this offseason?
“I don’t think I’ll go to any camps. All the schools I want to camp at are so far away. I don’t think I’ll go to any college camps. I’m going to the Nike Opening regional in Seattle. Hopefully I will make the Opening finals.”
How is everything going in the classroom?
“Everything is going really good in the classroom. I have a 3.5 GPA.”
Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?
“I take the ACT this Saturday.”
Have you thought about what you want to major in while in college?
“Kind of. I’m thinking about doing something in pre-med or maybe kinesiology.”
Are you playing any spring sports?
“No. I’m focused on staying in football shape. I am playing on a 7×7 team.”
How is your 7×7 team doing?
“We are doing really well. We won the IMG Academy regional in Los Angeles. I guess we are considered the best team in the west after winning that.”
That’s great. Last question, what is your favorite part of playing football?
“My favorite part is how the team can come together like a family from so many walks of life. We support each other and have to work together. That whole aspect of the game is what I like most about football.”
Hunter, thanks for your time today and good luck with your ACT on Saturday.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: seattletimes.com; No. 1 Hunter Bryant splits the defense.
Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 1 Hunter Bryant.
Photo credit: king5.com; No. 1 Hunter Bryant outruns the defense.