Chicago Bears: Hunter Bryant would fix the tight end problem

Q&A with Hunter Bryant

DaWindyCity (DWC): What were some of your individual goals coming into the 2019 season?

Hunter Bryant (HB): One of my individual goals was just to finish the season without missing a game and that was one thing I was able to do, which I was happy about. I didn’t have to leave the field at all. That was big for me considering how people were talking about my injury coming into the year. So I was happy that I was able to show that I am durable. Another goal was to be as versatile as possible and I think I did that, lining up this year at fullback and split out wide and even be attached at the end of the line and I was productive at all of those spots. I really wanted to have a productive season and I think I did that, and feel like the season turned out really well.

DWC: Washington has had some success putting tight ends in the NFL recently. What has made the TE position at Washington so successful?

HB: The system we run gets us on the field a lot because we’re in a lot of 12 and 13 personnel. I also think the coaching goes a long way. We have [John] Paopao as our coach and he just taught us to dive into the playbook and learn every intricacy so we could play at full speed and not have to think. Finally the leadership in the room. When I was a freshman we had Will Dissly and Drew Sample who are in the league right now. I was able to learn a lot from them about how to work and how to be a professional on and off the field.

DWC: You saw a huge increase in production from 2018 to 2019 coming back from your injury. At what point did you feel like you were back to 100 percent?

HB: I felt like I was back at 100 percent as soon as I came back in the 2018 season. My body felt good and I just needed to get back into the speed and rhythm of the game. Then having a full offseason healthy to train the way I wanted to really set me up well for this past season to be able to do the things I wanted to do.

DWC: What have you been doing to get ready for the NFL Draft?

HB: I’ve been working out at Ford Sports Performance (FSP) every day. I’ve been working on my strength and getting my baseline. I’ve been doing a lot of work on the whiteboard and watching film. I’ve been working with a quarterback coach to work on seeing the game through the eyes of the quarterback. I’ve also been working with a receiver specialist to make my routes even more crisp and exact. I’m really trying to fine-tune everything.

DWC: I heard while in high school you had a chance to work with and learn from some NFL stars. Tell me about that.

HB: When I was in high school I played 7 on 7 for FSP’s team and while I was working out I’d see Bobby Wagner and Richard Sherman and I was able to pick their brains at a young age. I was also able to observe their work ethic and how they went about their business. It showed me what kind of work ethic it took to be an elite player in the NFL and not just produce once you got there.  So it’s been awesome to have been around that since high school and be able to work with them and work out with them. It’s been huge.

DWC: What do you hope to show to NFL scouts whether it’s at the Combine, your Pro Day or in individual workouts?

HB: Really just show them how versatile I can be, whether it’s from a strength or speed standpoint. From how I run my routes to how I block. Anything I do I want to be elite at.

DWC: You seem like the perfect fit to play the “U” role at the next level. Would you agree or do you think you could also see time at some of the other roles?

HB: I can definitely see myself at the “U” role, but really I just want to put myself in the best position to be able to do anything the coach asks me to. If they ask me to play at the “U” I want to be able to do that at a high level. And if they ask me to play in-line and block the defensive ends and linebackers, I can do that too. So they don’t have to worry about what I’m doing — they can be confident I’ll get the job done.

DWC: One thing that jumps out about your tape is your route-running ability. Is that something you’ve always done well?

HB: I did it well in high school. I was a bigger more athletic guy so they had me split out at the “X” playing wide receiver so I was able to work on my hands and my routes. But when I got to UW, that’s where I was able to get more precise. So that’s definitely something I’ve worked on throughout college — increasing the precision in my game.

DWC: Talk to me a little bit about how you ended up playing the tight end position?

HB: I was 230 pounds my sophomore year in high school playing receiver. I think colleges saw me more as an athletic tight end that you could split out but also someone that could play in-line because I had so much size. So I think that’s how it started — I was more recruited as a tight end out of high school.

DWC: Is there a player right now that you think your game compares favorably to?

HB: When I was growing up I loved Dez Bryant and how aggressive, strong and fast he was. I loved how he bullied cornerbacks and went up and high pointed the ball. So I looked up to him. Right now, I’d say Evan Engram because of the speed and versatility he plays with.

DWC: Where do you think you present the biggest mismatch in the passing game? In the slot? Against DBs, LBs?

HB: That’s one thing that’s interesting to me because I feel like I can exploit a lot of areas, whether it’s the safety, corner or linebacker. My routes are crisp enough and I have enough speed to be able to beat a linebacker — and corners I can outmuscle them. So I like being put all over the field so I can showcase different parts of my game.

DWC: What are some other strengths that maybe we haven’t talked about already?

HB: I think my blocking. It has definitely gotten a lot better. I think it’s an underrated part of my game that people don’t see. I love to block and be physical whether it’s in space or in the box, it doesn’t matter — I just love going and doing it.

DWC: What is something that fans don’t know about you that might surprise them?

HB: I love to read. I love to read and have some time to myself. I’ll read anything. One of my favorite books is The Alchemist. It talks about mentality and how you attack things in life — how to be a competitor but also be even-keeled. So I like books like that that really make me think and that I can apply to my life.

DWC: I’ve got to ask you about your catch against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Walk me through that play and what it felt like after you came down with the catch?

HB: Pre-snap I knew it was man coverage. Based on the play we had I knew I was his [Jake Browning‘s] first read/outlet throw if he got pressure. So I knew more than likely the ball was going to come with me. So I ran my route and was able to create separation at the top, but I think it was Chase Young who got pressure and so he had to lob it up. When I saw the ball up in the air I knew the DB was going to have time to come back so I tried to box him out with my left hand and go up with my right and grab it. After I caught it, I didn’t think anything of it. I thought it was just a regular catch, but then after the game, I remember my phone was blowing up. In all honesty, I thought it was just a catch.

DWC: What are your thoughts about possibly playing in Chicago?

HB: I would love to play in Chicago. It’s a great city with a great fan base. It would be a great situation for me.

DWC: What do you want NFL general managers to know about you?

HB: That I love playing football. I love working and driving and can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.

We want to thank Hunter for taking the time to speak with us and wish him the best of luck in the draft. Make sure to follow Hunter on IG: @blackbeast1, and Twitter @blackbeast88.