Defensive Speed - Specifically Brandon Bryant

[Mechanicaldawg]

I was struck Saturday night by how fast and physical our defense was. It wasn't a surprise given their performance the 1st two weeks, but seeing it in person was striking.

I remembered one play stood out to me; it was on LSU's scoring drive. I went back and looked at it on video, the 5th or 6th play of the drive at the 11:00 minute mark of the 2nd quarter. Derrius Guice busted a run off the left edge, and I remembered thinking at the game "he's gone", but he was caught by Brandon Bryant. I didn't realize this guy runs a 4.24.

Granted, LSU went on to score anyway, but what an asset to have. Not many guys cut Guice off in that situation.

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

This is definitely the most team speed, offense, defense, and special teams that Mullen has ever had.

Dunno where you've been on BB though, he's been fast as hell since he's been here. Just hasn't always played fast, to put it lightly.

 

[Junction John]

Something else that surprised me about Bryant in the video last week... He's a shade bigger than I thought.

View attachment 7985

 

[CochiseCowbell]

He's tackling & hitting as well.

 

[BiscuitEater]

Our LBs and DEs can really motor.
DL has been dominant .. MANY have stepped up.
Tolando Cleveland has shut down his side of the field.
Durr and Rayford have both improved.
ALL safetys have gotten better.
Brandon Bryant is a totally different player this year. When he closes, he 'flashes' to the ball

 

[Mechanicaldawg]

Yeah, I knew he was fast, and I knew he had been talked about as the fastest guy on our defense. It was just cool to see him cut off a guy that usually doesn't get cut off when he gets the edge. I also didn't know he runs a 4.24.

It's kinda like everybody knows Fitz is fast, but it's cool when you see him outrunning guys he's not supposed to be able to outrun.

 

[msu86]

I'm just glad to see BB enjoying football again. Sirmon almost broke the kid and made him hate football.

 

[johnson86-1]

I'm just glad to see BB enjoying football again. Sirmon almost broke the kid and made him hate football.

Yeah, I don't know that it was Sirmon's fault (although obviously playing for a **** DC couldn't help), but it's crazy how bad he looked last year compared to the year before and the start of this year. Glad he's snapped out of it. Would have hated to see a guy with that much natural ability look back with regret about how he spent his college career.

 

[missouridawg]

It's been alluded to on here before.... it McLaurins speed and power have been a pleasant surprise. I can't tell you how many times I notice him coming into the opposing backfield with bad intentions. Abram is a stud too.

The defense we got this year is elite. Not Bama nor Clemson... but in the next group for sure.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Watch the game on Sky Cam and you'll really see how fast our front 7 is.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Dan is just a hunchback**

 

[ChinaDogSunflower]

I expected Brandon Bryant to be a beast last year, which was completely and utterly disappointing. I believe he might have even been My Boy after having a solid FR year. As the year progressed, it seemed to be a common theme that Bryant would shy away from contact. He's very fast, but finesse was all he had last year and after the season concluded, I deduced one major thing: He's sawft. But this year...

Boy what a change!
He looks like a different player, getting in on tackles, throwing his body in on the tackles, slamming people. He has been extremely impressive this year.

There was a while where I didn't know if he even wanted to play football anymore, but I think Grantham really helped him put the pieces together. He looks 17ng great so far.

 

[BELdog]

Brandon Bryant might get my vote for most improved defensive player this year. He's playing like he wants a shot at the NFL and it's been fun to watch him hit people. I remember watching the play mentioned in the OP and thinking, "There's no way that's the same guy that Leonard Fournette stiff armed through the turf."