Clemson Football: Austin Bryant named defensive lineman of the week
Clemson football’s Austin Bryant had a career night against the Auburn Tigers, recording seven total tackles, four sacks and four tackles for loss.
After flashing his potential as a true freshman, Austin Bryant missed much of 2016 with a fractured foot. In the little time playing time that he garnered he recorded just, 12 total tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Bryant entered 2017 fully healthy and ready to return to his promising freshman form. It didn’t take long for him to reassert himself. In just two games, Bryant has already set career highs in both sacks and tackles for loss with four of each.
Bryant was named ACC defensive lineman of the week for his dominant performance against the Auburn Tigers. Fellow Tiger, Dorian O’Daniel was also named ACC linebacker of the week for his 14 tackle performance against Auburn.
Thoughts
Coming into the year most of the attention was on Clelin Ferrell, Bryant’s counterpart. Through the first two games of the year, Bryant has completely outperformed not only Ferrell, but, every other member of the Tigers’ defensive line.
At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Bryant is strong enough to set the edge against the run and explosive enough to bring constant pressure in passing situations. His best attribute is his motor, Bryant routinely runs plays down from behind. He also has a good sense of where the quarterback is going to evade to.
If Bryant sustains this high level of play, Clemson’s defensive line will be unstoppable. Opposing offensive coordinators already have more than enough on their plate with Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence in the middle; if Ferrell and Bryant can apply constant pressure off the edge, there won’t be enough offensive lineman to go around.
Bryant’s play also makes Clemson’s secondary look better. As we saw against Auburn, Jarrett Stidham barely had time to get his feet set before he was facing some sort of pressure. This takes pressure of off the Tigers’ defensive backs to cover for extended periods of time.
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With Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals’ shaky offensive line coming down the pike, Bryant’s production is sure to continue.