SEC Media Days: Kelly Bryant will never forget Clemson

College football fans have been grasping at and soaking in any semblance of football information this summer and the 2019 season just can’t start soon enough for anyone. For SEC fans, on Monday, things got better when SEC Media Day kicked off.

For Clemson football fans, who have heard profusely from SEC fans about the Tigers ACC conference schedule, Alabama’s lack of focus in game 15 of a 14-0 season, how The Tide beat themselves, etc., now the fans get to hear a few SEC coaches and players discuss the Tigers.

When Alabama and South Carolina meet the press on Wednesday in the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, AL, “Clemson” will get its fair share of mentions, because of their rivalries with both schools.

"“It’s life……it was tough in the moment. But I can’t thank Clemson enough for the opportunity they gave me to play there being a kid from South Carolina, playing for his hometown state. Just shaping me into who I am today.”"

But on Monday, the Missouri Tigers opened the event and former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant drew the largest crowd as he entered the building with his head coach Barry Odom and teammates Cale Garrett and DeMarkus Acy.

After sitting behind Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson for two years, Bryant led Clemson to a 12-2 record and third consecutive College Football Playoffs appearance. Clemson lost to Alabama 24-6 in the 2018 Sugar Bowl, and Bryant finished the season with 2,802 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

At this time, last year, Bryant was preparing to take Clemson to back-to-back national championships before subsequently, being replaced as the starter by freshman Trevor Lawrence. Now he’s set to start and lead Missouri, the first team to contact him after announcing his intention to transfer, to a SEC East division title. Since the transfer, Bryant has been asked many times about his decision and as expected, he was asked again on Monday.

“It’s life……it was tough in the moment. But I can’t thank Clemson enough for the opportunity they gave me to play there being a kid from South Carolina, playing for his hometown state. Just shaping me into who I am today.”

After making the move, Bryant also had to deal with Twitter chatter from some Clemson fans and football fans in general. He talked about dealing with the criticism and specifically being labeled a “quitter.”

“I took it with a grain of salt because I knew……what was going to come from it. It was going to be a lot of scrutiny. People were going to label you this and that’s the world we live in today,” said Bryant. “What you can do is control, what you can control and I can control my mindset. It was tough. Easier said than done……I’m happy where I am, right here today.”

An in-season move such as Bryant’s could have mustered division between him and his teammates but according to Bryant, the move didn’t affect his relationship with them at all.

“I talk to them everyday….. that’s the relationship we built off of the game of football.” He said when asked if he continued to communicate with his former teammates after the December transfer. “Like you said it’s a family. That’s true……..the connection and relationships is still strong until this day.” No matter where we are.”

Leaving Clemson could have also disrupted the chemistry of a team considered to be a national title contender. But the Tigers were able to internalize the circumstances, gather themselves, and win another championship.

Bryant on his teammates and former school beating Alabama 44-16 in the national championship game in California.

“Just sitting at home watching the game, being there for three or four years and grinding it out with those guys, it was bittersweet,” Bryant said. “But at the end of the day, I was happy seeing them celebrate and going out the way they did. I felt good about it. I’ll never forget I was there.”

Back on December 4 when Bryant committed to Missouri over Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi State and Auburn, he could envision leading Missouri to a national title but now the apex for the probation laden Tigers is only a division title. However, there is hope. Missouri has appealed to the NCAA in hopes of the organization lifting the one-year post season band for academic misconduct.

Even with the post season ban, Bryant did not abandon his teammates. “I had already built a relationship with those guys within a couple of months,” he said. “I feel like I was in a good spot. I’m liking where I’m at and where I’m going as well.”

Bryant left Clemson in good standing with his teammates and his decision to stay at Missouri despite the opportunity to transfer to another school without penalty, won over at least one of his new teammates. Linebacker Cale Garrett recalled Bryant’s response to the bowl ban news.

“What won me over and a lot of the seniors, after the senior meeting where we found out about the bowl ban, he stood up in front of us after that and said, I’m here. I know everyone has the choice to leave but I’m staying here and I want to win. I know we have something special.” Garrett said while fielding questions on Monday. “And that was my moment where I was like, ‘I respect you a lot.’ That’s when he won me over, I think.”

Missouri finished last season 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the SEC East. Bryant hopes to help the Tigers win a division title and in the process fulfill his dream of becoming a pro athlete.