Austin Bryant

Clemson's pipeline of defensive linemen to the NFL is in good hands with Bryant, who may only need to convince teams that he can remain healthy to earn an early round selection despite only starting one season for the Tigers. Bryant was a highly regarded prep who earned immediately playing time as a true freshman in 2015 but was stuck behind future top 35 draft picks Shaq Lawson (Bills, No. 19 overall) and Kevin Dodd (Titans, 33), registering 22 tackles, including two for loss and 1.5 sacks in his debut season. He was generally asked to play mop-up duty but was pressed into considerable playing time during the Orange Bowl when Lawson was injured and gave Clemson fans a taste of what was on the horizon, recording a career high eight tackles, including half a sack in a 37-17 win over Oklahoma. He was expected to be a formidable part of the rotation as a true sophomore but suffered a broken metatarsal in his right foot in August, forcing him to miss the first six games of the season after undergoing surgery to have a screw inserted. He returned in time to play eight games during Clemson's national championship run but registered "just" 13 tackles on the season, though 4.5 of them came behind the line of scrimmage, including 2.5 sacks. Given his injury and lack of statistics, thus far, Bryant entered his third season at Clemson overshadowed by the other top prospects along the Tigers' front. That didn't last long, however, as Bryant emerged as one of the most versatile and productive edge rushers in the country in 2017, earning Second Team All-ACC honors with 54 tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks over the regular season. This included a monster performance against Auburn in Week Two in which Austin recorded seven tackles and four sacks. In the 14-6 win over the eventual SEC West champion Tigers, Austin became just the third player in school history with four sacks in a single game. He led a defensive line that held Auburn to just 117 yards of total offense and just 38 yards rushing on 42 attempts. Bryant was named National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Foundation for his performance and immediately planted his flag as a fast-rising NFL prospect. Among other highlights on the year for Bryant included five tackles, including two for loss and a sack against Boston College, six tackles, including two for loss and a sack against Georgia Tech and five tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a tremendously athletic interception against Virginia Tech. Bryant was asked to play a variety of roles for Clemson in 2017, alternately lining up with his hand in the dirt as a traditional defensive end, rushing upfield out of two-point (stand-up) stance or dropping into space in coverage. He possesses impressive initial quickness and agility for a man of his size and should only improve with greater strength and repetitions, offering the kind of upside to warrant early consideration, perhaps as soon as the first round. BACKGROUND Consensus top-20 player in Georgia as an AAAA all-state selection despite a broken left foot (fifth metatarsal) suffered during his senior year. Recorded 64 tackles, five sacks and three caused fumbles as a junior while splitting his time between defensive end and linebacker. Held offers from 22 different teams, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Stanford, Wisconsin and other prominent programs. Also played basketball in high school. ...

in our view

The NFL is always willing to gamble on edge rushers with Bryant's combination of size and explosiveness, though this one-year starter currently lacks the functional strength, technique and awareness most clubs expect out of an early round pick and therefore patience may be required. Bryant does possess the upside, however, to warrant the investment.

strengths

Looks the part of an NFL edge rusher with broad shoulders, a tapered, athletic frame and long limbs. Flashes excellent initial quickness, timing his get-off with the ball to cross the face of right tackles and showing the quickness to counter back inside. Equally explosive off the ball out of the two or three point stance, offering his future NFL team a great deal of schematic versatility. A flexible athlete with the agility, bend and closing speed to be very effective on twists and stunts. Accelerates quickly, generating impressive power as a tackler, creating some big collisions and forcing two fumbles in 2017. Uses his long arms to lasso ball-carriers in the open field, wrapping them up for the secure stop. Shows some awareness of passing lanes, getting his hands up and showing good timing on his leaps to hamper the view of quarterbacks. Possesses obvious athletic ability and appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential. - Rob Rang 12/19/2017

compares to

Whitney Mercilus, Houston. The Texans gambled on the upside of Mercilus - a one year star at Illinois - with the No. 26 overall selection back in 2012 and, when healthy, he's proven worthy of the pick, registering 38.5 sacks since, including a career-high 12 during an All-Pro 2015 season. Both defenders boast the combination of size and athleticism to warrant rolling the dice, especially if surrounded with an excellent supporting cast like the one Bryant has at Clemson and Mercilus, in Houston.

weaknesses

Currently lacks ideal strength at the point of attack, though this is an area that should improve with more time in the weight room. Too often stands up as he engages the blocker, losing the leverage battle (as well as sight of the ball) and struggling to disengage. Lack of playing time is evident in how long it takes him to process the action, too often hesitating and reacting only after the ball is moving... Does not anticipate cuts or trap blocks well yet and spends more time than he should on the ground. Does not currently show a wide variety of pass rush moves and hand technique, relying mostly on pure speed, a counter back inside, a bull rush and the variety of twists and stunts utilized by the Clemson coaching staff. Capable of dropping back and is an imposing figure in space but is too methodical in his movements and currently lacks the "feel" for coverage. Has undergone surgery on both feet for the same injury (broken fifth metatarsal), which may warrant further investigation at the Combine. -- Rob Rang 12/19/2017

From Pavo, Ga., attended Thomas County Central High. Consensus top-20 player in Georgia

No. 134 player and No. 15 defensive end in the nation by ESPN No. 149 player and No. 11 defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com

No. 199 player and No. 12 defensive end in the nation by 247Sports.com

AAAA all-state selection

had 64 tackles, five sacks and three caused fumbles as a junior

teammate of running back Adam Choice

starter on the basketball team

coached by Bill Shaver

recruited by Marion Hobby and Danny Pearman.

Majoring in pre-business

born Nov. 12, 1996.

2018

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
14.5	5.0	42.0	0.0	0.0	8.5	17.0

2017

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
15.0	8.0	50.0	0.0	1.0	8.5	30.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
3.5	0.0	12.0	0.0	1.0	2.0	7.0