The Husky Haul
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Washington football: Bryant deserves to be a first rounder

By Roman Tomashoff

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 14: Hunter Bryant #1 of the Washington Huskies runs for a 47 yard touchdown against the Washington Huskies in the first quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 14: Hunter Bryant #1 of the Washington Huskies runs for a 47 yard touchdown against the Washington Huskies in the first quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Washington football has the best tight end in the country on their team, and there’s no reason that he shouldn’t be a first round NFL Draft pick

When Hunter Bryant arrived on campus, he became an immediate playmaker for Washington football in a tight end room that includes two current NFL draft picks in Will Dissly and Drew Sample. Bryant has a chance to be one of the best tight ends Washington has ever seen.

After bursting onto the scene in 2017 and being named as a freshman All-American, Bryant came back strong as a sophomore after recovering from a knee injury he suffered late during his freshman season. He’s averaging over 16 yards per reception, and has already set a career high in receiving yards (334) just five games into his junior season.

While his numbers aren’t exactly eye-popping for NFL draft afficionados who value production in college, keep in mind that he averaged over 21 yards per catch during the five games he played in as a sophomore, and it took him a few games as a true freshman to truly get integrated into the offense before he truly broke out against Cal.

Bryant has also put on a lot of muscle since he got to UW, and his run blocking is worlds better as a junior, and he continues to get better every week. Check out this play against Eastern Washington if you think that Bryant can’t run block.

Bryant has the hands and route running ability to be a number one weapon in any offense at the NFL level, and has a perfect pro comparison of a tight end who recently got taken in the first round.

If you look at Bryant, his game (and frame) is very, very similar to Evan Engram‘s, who was selected 23rd overall by the New York Giants. While Engram ran an other-worldly 4.42 40 yard dash, Bryant is head and shoulders above Engram as a run blocker, and can definitely run a 4.5 40 yard dash, and maybe even break that 4.5 threshold after combine specific training. Needless to say, if you’re looking for the number one tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft, enjoy him while you can in purple and gold, because he’ll be dominaiting on Sundays before you know it.

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