Pat Bryant News, Rumors, Updates - Illinois Fighting Illini

Illini Insider | As heard on 'Illini Pella Saturday SportsTalk' Among last weekend's guests: Kam Cox on NIL, Jeremy Werner on his way home from Pat Bryant's NFL draft party and Mark Coomes on the ever-cha...

APRIL 29 • NEWS-GAZETTE.COM

The daily pitch from Sports Editor Matt Daniels: April 25, 2025 Congrats, Kenta Miyoshi, Bryson Houchens and Brilynn Barnett. ... Will an NFL team draft Pat Bryant tonight? ... It's Christie Clinic Illino...

APRIL 25 • NEWS-GAZETTE.COM

Illini put depth on display in blowout win to open football season The big question for the Illinois offense heading into the 2024 season: Who was going to catch the ball? Other than Pat Bryant, of course. T...

MARCH 20 • STLTODAY.COM

Pat Bryant catches 2 TDs as Illinois beats Central Michigan Texas A&M transfer Ethan Moczulski kicked a school-record 59-yard field goal as time expired in the first half of Illinois' 30-9 win over Ce...

MARCH 18 • STLTODAY.COM

The daily pitch from Sports Editor Matt Daniels: March 8, 2025 Congrats, Pat Bryant — and shoutout to Loren Tate, too. ... Cissna Park girls' basketball adds another state trophy to the area case. ... Bi...

MARCH 8 • NEWS-GAZETTE.COM

Bryant 'full speed ahead into his next chapter' Dec. 6—CHAMPAIGN — Pat Bryant's social media missive declaring for the 2025 NFL draft didn't implicitly indicate the Illinois wide receiver'...

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • PANTAGRAPH.COM

Declares for NFL Draft Bryant has declared for the NFL Draft, according to his announcement Tuesday.

Impact Bryant declaring for the NFL Draft at this juncture will prevent his availability for Illinois' bowl game. He had a career year in 2024. The senior logged 54 receptions on 81 targets for 984 yards (18.2 averaged per reception) and 10 touchdowns, all tallies his new career highs. Ideally for Bryant, his last year is enough to enter draft boards and earn himself a selection in 2025.

DECEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Explosive play in victory Bryant caught 4 of 5 targets for 70 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-28 win versus Northwestern.

Impact Bryant connected with quarterback Luke Altmyer on a 43-yard catch-and-run to the end zone in the third quarter, giving the Fighting Illini a three-score lead at the time. The senior receiver ended the regular season on a heater, hauling in 15 passes for 402 yards and three touchdowns over the team's final three games. Overall, Bryant had a breakout season for the Illini, recording 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, finishing second in the Big Ten in yards and tied for first in touchdowns through the regular season. His final opportunity to put on a show in an Illinois uniform will come in the team's upcoming bowl game, assuming he chooses not to sit out in preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns for second half Bryant (undisclosed) is back on the field to start the second half against Northwestern, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Bryant departed for the locker room in the second quarter, but it seems his injury was minor. He was back out with the offense to begin the second half and quickly made a catch. He'll look to get more involved after being limited to just one catch in the first half.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Taken to locker room Bryant (undisclosed) has been taken to the locker room in Illinois' game against Northwestern, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Bryant had one catch for 16 yards before being taken to the locker room against the Wildcats. It's unclear what the star wideout's injury is at this point, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to the contest.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Monster day in victory Bryant caught 7 of 13 targets for 197 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-31 victory versus Rutgers.

Impact It was a career day for Bryant, as the senior receiver tied a season-best with seven catches and logged a new career-high with 197 yards on the day. The true highlight of the day, however, came on a 40-yard catch and run touchdown to give the Fighting Illini the lead with just four seconds left on the clock. Bryant has been a playmaker throughout the season, as he has recorded 50 catches for 914 yards and nine touchdowns through 11 games. A season finale against Northwestern on Saturday will serve as his final opportunity to improve his regular season numbers.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds left Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victo...

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • NEWSDAY.COM

No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers with 40-yard TD pass in final seconds

After Illinois' failed FG attempt is wiped out by a Rutgers timeout, Illini decide to go for it instead, scoring winning TD in wild finish.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers with 40-yard TD pass in final seconds

No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds left

Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • Associated Press

Big day in victory Bryant compiled four receptions (on seven targets) for 135 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-16 victory against Michigan State.

Impact Bryant led the team in receiving on the day, logging a season-high 135 yards on an impressive 33.8 YPC. The senior receiver connected with quarterback Luke Altmyer on a 57-yard touchdown strike in the first quarter to get the Fighting Illini on the scoreboard, highlighting Bryant's big-play ability. Bryant has been an impact player for Illinois all season, catching 43 passes for 717 yards and eight touchdowns through 10 games. His next opportunity to better those numbers will come in a road battle against Rutgers this coming Saturday.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Illinois Football Week 11 Bye: Injury Updates and More Midweek News Checking in Illini receiver Pat Bryant, the mood after the Minnesota loss and a Gentle push

NOVEMBER 7, 2024 • SI.COM

Leading receiver in loss Bryant gathered in 5 of 10 targets for 72 yards during Saturday's 25-17 defeat versus Minnesota.

Impact Saturday marked Bryant's highest yardage total since Week 7 as he commanded his largest target total this season. The senior receiver started the season hot, catching 20 passes for 309 yards and six touchdowns through the team's first four games, but has since cooled off, logging 19 catches for 273 yards and just a single touchdown in the five games since. Bryant will look to get back in the end zone when the Fighting Illini host Michigan State following this week's bye.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will play vs. Minnesota Bryant (head) will play against the Gophers on Saturday, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Illinois' star wideout, who was dealing with a head injury, is good to go and won't miss any time. The Illini' leading receiver has 34 grabs for 510 yards and seven scores, and he'll look to add to that total against what's been an opportunistic Gophers' secondary.

NOVEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time decision Bryant (head) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup with Minnesota, Erik Hall of The Telegraph reports.

Impact Bryant, who suffered a concussion during last week's loss against Oregon, remains a game-time decision for the Fighting Illini this weekend. The 6-foot-3 senior wideout has been impressive with Illinois this season, totaling 34 receptions for 510 yards and seven touchdowns across eight games. Bryant was spotted on the sidelines of practice Tuesday wearing sunglasses to protect against the lingering effects of his concussion, and if he is unable to suit up this weekend, expect Zakhari Franklin and Collin Dixon to see more work in the receiving game.

NOVEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Early-Week Illinois Football Injury Updates: Pat Bryant and More Coach Bret Bielema gave encouraging news on the status of receiver Pat Bryant and others Monday

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • SI.COM

Appears probable vs. Gophers Bryant appears to be probable heading into the Illini's clash with Minnesota, as head coach Bret Bielema said the wideout told him there was no chance he misses this game, Scott Ri...

Impact Obviously, Bryant's health will be the deciding factor here. Still, it seems as though the receiver is committed to playing this week, and his head coach reportedly feels "fairly confident" that he will. Bryant is having an excellent senior season, with 34 grabs for 510 yards and seven scores.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with head injury Coach Bret Bielema indicated Saturday that Bryant is dealing with a head injury, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact No immediate update was provided in regards to the wide receiver's status but at least the injury was specified. Bryant totaled three receptions for 26 yards prior to his exit.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to locker room Saturday Bryant (undisclosed) headed to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game at Oregon, Joey Wagner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Bryant took a hard hit in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game and was taken to the locker room shortly after. It's currently unclear what he injured or the severity of the injury.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet day against Wolverines Bryant caught 4 of 7 targets for 32 yards during Saturday's 21-7 win against Michigan.

Impact There was good news and bad news on the day for Bryant. The bad news is that he logged a season-low 32 yards on just four catches after coming off a season-high 104 yards with a touchdown in last week's overtime thriller against Purdue. The good news is that the senior receiver still led the team in targets, receptions and yards on a day in which quarterback Luke Altmyer completed just nine passes for 80 yards. A stingy Michigan defense held the Illinois offense mostly in check throughout the day, limiting opportunities for Bryant and the Illinois passing game as a whole. Better days are ahead for Bryant, though a roadtrip to Eugene to face the top-ranked Oregon Ducks presents another tough challenge this coming Saturday.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leading receiver in OT win Bryant notched four receptions (on seven targets) for 104 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 50-49 overtime win over Purdue.

Impact Bryant's touchdown, which proved to be the game winner, came on a 25-yard strike from quarterback Luke Altmyer in overtime to put the Fighting Illini up seven. The senior receiver led the team in receiving yards on the day, crossing the century mark for the second time this season. Bryant will look to keep his positive momentum going when the Fighting Illini host Michigan this coming Saturday.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers with 40-yard TD pass in final seconds

No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds left