CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
Bryant scores against South Carolina in late November

Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant


by - Staff Writer -

Most of the buzz surrounding the quarterback competition headed into Clemson’s spring practice centers on redshirt freshman Zerrick Cooper and true freshman Hunter Johnson. But it wouldn’t be wise to overlook rising junior Kelly Bryant.

Quarterback guru Ramon Robinson of RRElite QB Academy has worked with some of the top quarterbacks in the nation, and he told TigerNet Monday that it wouldn’t be wise to overlook Bryant, the former Wren standout who has waited patiently behind Deshaun Watson.

“We went through a solid off-season, training once a week. The most improvement that I've seen from is his leadership in regards to taking over as the next guy up, as they say,” Robinson said. “I've seen a whole different guy from before as a guy who has been in the background awaiting his opportunity. Nobody ever wants to be the guy in the background. It's one of those situations that you have to deal with as a quarterback. What people don't understand is there's only one quarterback that can play at a time. When this whole recruiting thing goes on, you can bring in a million 5-star quarterbacks, 4-stars or 3-stars but at the end of the day, only one guy can get on the field.

“That's the difference between playing receiver, running back and tight end. There's a cycle of guys playing. What I've seen from him now is that whole glow about himself that I haven't seen in a while. He's all smiles and laughs. I've seen a period where he's been dull. Not so much that he couldn't do it, but everybody has to take that bite and swallow that pill because they've got to sit. That's a hard pill to swallow when you're guy that's been the man and everybody been has been the man at their high school and you have to come in and you sit your time regardless of you think you're better or you know you're better. It's just a matter of you have to wait your time.”

Bryant has played in 12 games during his two-year Clemson career, but he hasn’t thrown a pass in six of those games. After playing in eight games in 2015, he played in just four this past season and threw a pass in just two of those after settling into the third spot on the depth chart behind Nick Schuessler.

Over his two seasons, he’s completed 13-of-18 passes for 75 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. On the ground, however, he has 35 rushes for 178 yards and three scores.

Cooper and Johnson will push Bryant this spring, but Robinson says the competition will only make Bryant better.

“When I'm talking to him, we don't get into talking about who's coming in and who's gone. We talk more about how can I make Kelly Bryant better and how can Kelly Bryant get better,” he said. “Competition is going to be competition, and that's just where it is. It doesn't matter if Kelly is at another college or wherever, the same situation is going on across the country, not just at Clemson University. When you're a true ball player, you don't worry about the competition that's coming in. You deal with the competition as you deal with it on the field and in the classroom with your team.

“He just attacks it a different way because some people can get into their feelings when it comes to stuff like that. At the end of the day, these guys still have to compete and be teammates regardless of who has the job. Kelly is up now, and he's going to continue to battle until the end. We don't talk about who they have coming in. We talk about, 'Hey, you're up next. Get your mind focused to lead the Clemson Tigers. Get your mind focused on being a leader. Get your mind focused on why you came to Clemson University.'”

Robinson said he sees what is written about Bryant by some media outlets, on message boards, and in social media and tries to keep Bryant focused on what’s important.

“I see the stuff and that's why I'm here. I'm the coach, mentor and uncle. I read that stuff because that's not for him to read. I keep him out that,” Robinson said. “That's one thing I don't allow him to do. That's not so much what I don't allow, it also comes from his parents. Stay out of the media. We all know that media is good and bad. Kelly Bryant is a quarterback that Clemson University recruited. He was a very outstanding quarterback coming out of high school. This guy is here to compete. He's here to compete in every form and fashion. Give him an opportunity to be himself. From what I hear and see on the radio and the message boards, Kelly hasn't gotten an opportunity to truly lead the Clemson Tigers in a way for him to say that he can do it or he can't do it. Clemson just had a two-time Heisman finalist in Deshaun Watson, so don't think that Kelly can't do it just because he came in the game and just ran.”

He then said that everyone would found out that Bryant won’t back down from the challenge, comparing him to a ferocious dog.

“One thing you can't hold back is a dog. A ferocious dog will get away any way possible. You're not dealing with a poodle. You're not dealing with a guy that's going to back down,” he said. “You're dealing with a dog. You're dealing with a guy who has that inner drive to compete at every level. It's not about what he can't do. It's about what he's going to do. It's about what he's prepared to do. He uses the negativity as a positive power to make him better. For him, this season isn't about proving the media and everybody wrong; it's about his team and Clemson University. It's about being the leader of that team. That's who he has to prove to.”

Many question whether Bryant can throw the ball well enough to win and Robinson scoffs at that notion.

"For him, it's about his mental game. The things he needed to work on are just being confident in what's doing on the field. There isn't a throw that Kelly Bryant can't make on that field," Robinson said. "I know what he can do when he's given the opportunity. He can throw the ball. It's just matter of being accurate on a consistent basis and getting into a rhythm. As a quarterback, you have to be in a rhythm. Being in for a series here and there doesn't get you in rhythm. He was labeled a dual-threat quarterback because he threw for 4,000 yards and rushed for almost 1,500 yards in high school. It wasn't throwing tunnel screens.

"He threw the ball down the field. He's progressed, just like in high school when he kept getting better and better the more experience he got. It's the same thing I see that can happen at Clemson University with Kelly Bryant at quarterback once he gets the opportunity to settle in and be himself. Don't expect him to be Deshaun Watson, but if you want to expect something, expect to win."

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Nikki Hood: Email | Comment
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
Everything Brad Brownell said after Clemson advanced to the Elite 8
Everything Brad Brownell said after Clemson advanced to the Elite 8
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 51) Author
spacer New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
TigerNet News®
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
twentytwofifteen
spacer Thank you. I was about to make a post about that exact same thing***
nkickha
spacer you get what you pay for***
ringknocker85
spacer She's pretty much quoting the guru word-for-word it seems.
DueWest
spacer All I can say is I better not say what I wanna say
kerigantoo
spacer DW4 and Chad Kelly worked out with this QB coach before...***
CoolBreeze864®
spacer Re: DW4 and Chad Kelly worked out with this QB coach before...***
kerigantoo
spacer It's not necessarily about him
jbrock11
spacer Re: It's not necessarily about him
Old Hickory
spacer Link to Ramon Robinson, quoted in article
DueWest
spacer Re: Link to Ramon Robinson, quoted in article
cunms
spacer Unlike the gurus on tnet***
GeeVille Tiger®
spacer Re: Link to Ramon Robinson, quoted in article
BKendall36
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
Tigerman1978
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
armsb
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
Tigerman1978
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
kerigantoo
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
Forever Clemson
spacer Is Kelly Bryant better than Nick Schuessler, or not ... ?
DueWest
spacer 1st, KB2 was supposed to redshirt,until Tucker
MRTTMT
spacer We'll just have to disagree. I think not being the back-up
DueWest
spacer Give The Kid A **%$ Chance!
HillRockTiger®
spacer He will most assuredly be given a chance.
BugEyeSprite
spacer Poodles don't back down!
Preacher Man®
spacer Re: Poodles don't back down!
Rhymedog56®
spacer Re: Poodles don't back down!
armsb
spacer Re: Poodles don't back down!
lhaselden
spacer Re: Poodles don't back down!
Tigerman1978
spacer Watched KB2 as much as possible last year and...
NarfleTheGarthok
spacer I agree, his first step is quicker but I also think he is
Orange®
spacer KB is both quicker and faster IMHO ...
apextiger
spacer Re: KB is both quicker and faster IMHO ...
ddclemson
spacer Re: I agree, his first step is quicker but I also think he is
kerigantoo
spacer Re: I agree, his first step is quicker but I also think he is
ddclemson
spacer His decision to scramble is a lot faster too.
TigersAndCubs
spacer Re: His decision to scramble is a lot faster too.
B9TIGER
spacer Re: His decision to scramble is a lot faster too.
kerigantoo
spacer I see more Lamar Jackson than DW4 (in a good way)
WALLACE
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
CUYankee
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
HunterClemsonTigers
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
HungryTiger
spacer This is tnet. Expectations have no boundaries.***
GeeVille Tiger®
spacer Re: This is tnet. Expectations have no boundaries.***
morris
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
CUAllTheWay
spacer He said
Tiger_tK
spacer most importantly
tlever
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
spillermaniac
spacer Exactly this ^^^^^***
WALLACE
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
tigernation2000
spacer Nikki, Thanks info and insight on Bryant . . .
BuckHeadTiger
spacer Re: New Story: Ferocious Dog: Quarterback guru says don't overlook Kelly Bryant
bleedsorange81®