As a Senior at Illinois, Pat Bryant was Mr. Clutch, coming up with several game winning touchdown catches to help the Fighting Illini finish with their best record since 2007. Bryan’s 2024 season at Illinois helped catapult him up draft boards and he enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the best prospects at the position. Below is a draft profile on the Illinois wideout.
Pat Bryant Draft Profile Overview
Measurables:
6’2″
204 pounds
Player Background:
As a star athlete out of Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Bryant could have played football for several Big Ten programs. He chose to play for Brett Bielema, who has been known for developing talent and churning out draft prospects. After arriving at Illinois as a 3-star prospect, Bryant elevated his game at receiver and became a polished route runner. He became a team captain in 2024. His frame, speed and natural pass-catching ability stand out on tape, making him one of the most well-rounded receivers in the 2025 class.
Strengths:
Bryant’s basketball background shows up on tape. His wide catch radius and big frame make him a dependable target at all levels of the field. He’s a natural when it comes to catching the ball, plucking it from the air, and using his hands to haul in passes. Bryant is smooth as a route runner and is fast getting off the line of scrimmage. His long strides help him cover ground quickly and he’s sudden in his breaks. With an ability to high-point balls and win contested catches, Bryant can become a reliable target. He also fights for yards after the catch and is willing to take on contact.
Illinois played in several close games in 2024. In three different games, Bryant came up with a game-winning touchdown catch. Against Rutgers, Bryant effectively beat a prevent defense on his own and came up with the winning score. His dependability and clutch factor will help him earn the trust of his quarterback at the next level. Bryant’s ability to do the dirty work, but also take it to the house is what separates him from several other receivers in this class. Each year at Illinois he improved, which bodes well for Bryant’s chances to make an impact for the team that drafts him.
Weaknesses:
Speed is not Bryant’s game. He doesn’t win by blazing past defenders but instead relies on finesse and quickness in his routes. With the speed of defenders at the NFL level, there are concerns about Bryant’s ability to separate. While he was asked to block at Illinois, Bryant’s not the strongest prospect and could get overwhelmed by more physical corners at the next level. His role will likely be more of a supporting piece for a team rather than a number one. His slow 40 time might also hurt his draft stock.
Team Fits:
Prospect Grade:
Early Day 3
Player Comp:
Keenan Allen
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
