1 week Ago
CHAMPAIGN — When the All-Big Ten teams are announced in early December, Bret Bielema’s Illinois football team will be represented. Defensive back Xavier Scott seems like a lock for conference honors. So does wide receiver Pat Bryant, though he plays a position loaded with talent in the league.
A total of 10 players from the Big Ten were on watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s top receiver. Do the awards matter? To the players and their families, of course. Who doesn’t want to bring home a trophy that says “a job well done.
” But for the team, individual awards are less significant. Want proof? Go back to 2023 and see how that worked. Defensive tackle Johnny Newton was properly feted for his efforts, earning First-Team All-American honors and being named Big Ten defensive player of the year and defensive lineman of the year.
Again, honors he earned on the field with the Illini that were celebrated by the team and coaches. Receiver Isaiah Williams joined Newton in 2023 as a First-Team All-Big Ten selection for Illinois. One of the most prolific pass-catchers in school history, the converted quarterback established a work ethic and legacy that is being passed down by teammates who followed.
Like Bryant. “I wanted to come here and make an instant impact,” Bryant said Wednesday at the Smith Center. And he wanted to add to the school’s receiver tradition.
Bryant is on his way to a career-best season in catches, yards and touchdowns as he has 39 receptions for 582 yards after nine games. He ranks among national leaders with seven scores ..
. so far. His 16 career touchdown catches have him all alone in fourth place in school history, with only A.
J. Jenkins (19), Brandon Lloyd (21) and David Williams (24) ahead. Of course, he is being treated different by the opponents now than in his freshman season.
Teams know to pay attention to No. 13. “I saw a lot of things that I have never seen my prior years of playing college football,” Bryant said.
“We adapt to it.” This year, he had to adjust to a new position coach, too. After working three seasons with George McDonald, Bryant is being coached by Justin Stepp.
“I’m a guy who soaks in as much knowledge as possible,” Bryant said. “Two great guys.” He stays in touch with McDonald, who is now on Lane Kiffin’s staff at Mississippi.
“He checks up on me all the time, makes sure I’m good,” Bryant said. Bryant is one of the team’s captains this season. When he says he doesn’t really care about All-Big Ten or the Biletnikoff, it is sincere.
“My end goal is get to the next level,” Bryant said. “Whether they honor me or not, I put a lot of hard work into my senior season, and I did what I had to do to leave my legacy at the school.” Bryant has a life away from football, one with recent big news when he got engaged to Tori Trench.
She is an Illinois State graduate. First-year Illinois secondary coach Corey Parker worked with superstar cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at Toledo. Mitchell is now a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles.
So, Parker knows a star when he sees one. Scott moved into that space with a jaw-dropping performance against Kansas early in the season. He intercepted two passes, including one he returned for a touchdown.
He ranks among the Big Ten leaders with three interceptions this season. “His impact on the game is phenomenal,” Parker said. “It’s a playmaking mentality that he brings to the table.
” The junior, who is one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, should be considered when accolades are passed out. “Xavier is playing at that level,” Parker said. “I think that’s nationally known.
For Xavier, it’s one day at a time, trying to get better at his craft. He’s watching extra film. He’s having extra talks with the other DBs to try to lead those guys.
He’s not just doing it himself.” Scott is only one of the Illinois defenders Parker mentions as worthy of honors. Defensive back Matthew Bailey, all the way back from an injury that cost him the 2023 season, will likely finish as the team leader in tackles as he has 58 going into Saturday’s 1:30 p.
m. home game for Illinois (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) with Michigan State (4-5, 2-4). Outside linebacker Gabe Jacas ranks among the Big Ten leaders with 61/2 sacks and needs one more to move onto the school’s career Top 10 list.
“Our defensive line, you can pick and choose which one of those guys is doing stuff for us,” Parker said. “Whether it’s Gabe one game or Seth (Coleman) another game or TeRah (Edwards) or (Dennis) Briggs. We’ve got so many different good players.
We’ve just got to make sure all these different guys are ready to go all at the same time, healthy and moving.” Linebacker Dylan Rosiek, the current team tackle leader with 63, was on his way to season honors before he got knocked out with a fractured leg against Minnesota. “He was playing at a high level,” Parker said.
The awards for Newton, Williams and several other Illini in 2023 didn’t help the bottom line. A loss in the finale against Northwestern kept the team home for the holidays. A good question that never really had to be asked: Would Newton and Williams have participated in the bowl? Based on recent practices by other NFL prospects, it was likely no.
Why risk your future in a game that doesn’t lead to a championship? This year, Illinois is going back to a bowl game. Not sure which one, though the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., seems to be a popular prediction, especially if Illinois can finish the regular season strong.
If it makes it there, Illinois will face the best non-playoff team from the SEC. Illinois is 0-4 all-time against the SEC in the postseason. Will Bryant, who has moved up NFL draft boards with his production this season, play in the game? Stay tuned.
That isn’t on his radar right now. Saturday’s Senior Day matchup with Michigan State is the top priority. And so are road games to close the regular season against Rutgers and Northwestern.
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