TomVH: An Interview with Chris Bryant
The recruiting process has been a long one for 4 Star Illinois OL Chris Bryant, and he's ready for it to be over with. Bryant makes his decision on Friday the 28th at 7:30pm at his high school in Chicago. I caught up with him to talk about the final hours, and what he'll be focusing on while making his decision for tomorrow. Here's a look at his film, then the interview.
TOM: Are you ready for all this to be over with yet?
CHRIS: Yeah, I mean it's stressful. It's been fun, but difficult so I'm almost ready.
TOM: What's it like today and tonight, the day before you make your decision?
CHRIS: Well, Coach Hoke came by the school today and then the Pitt coaches, Coach Graham and Calvin Magee are coming by later tonight. After that I'm just going to check over all the places I've been, the trips I've taken, and sit down and think about it. I want to make sure that I'm comfortable, because I have to live there the next 4 to 5 years. In my mind, I know where I'm leaning, but I want to sleep on it and do my thing tomorrow.
TOM: When the coaches come by this late in the process what are they talking to you about? For instance, what was Coach Hoke saying today?
CHRIS: Going through this process it's just been about building the relationship. That relationship doesn't come over night, and today was just kind of a regular conversation. He was telling me how I fit in, and about their new type of offense. It was just us getting to know each other more.
TOM: You talk about building a relationship. In a short period of time, do you think you've done that with the new Michigan coaches? Do you feel comfortable with them?
CHRIS: Ever since the first day I met them we hit it off. He's a player's coach, and someone you like having a conversation with. I didn't have a hard time bonding with him. I feel comfortable with all these coaches, I wouldn't second guess playing for them.
TOM: What happens after all the coaches leave? Do you and your parents sit down and discuss everything, or are they letting you make the decision?
CHRIS: My parents are a big part of my decision. After the coaches leave we'll sit down and talk through everything, then just get ready for tomorrow.
TOM: How many hats will be on the table?
CHRIS: I'll have four. Arizona, Michigan, Pitt, and Illinois.
January 27th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
I feel relieved after reading this.
January 27th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
Sounds like he has the right approach to go through the recruiting process. Hopefully he'll Go Blue tomorrow!
January 27th, 2011 at 5:04 PM ^
After this interview, it seems pretty likely he's blue. It almost seems like he's being polite to Pitt because of the coaches now there. It is nice to hear about Hoke being an easy guy for recruits to get along with
January 28th, 2011 at 9:31 AM ^
i think he is blue but i dont think the interview said anything of the sort.
the great thing going for us is that mcgee surely would have sold our program while here, and would surely come across as a hypocrite if he were to now try to say pitt is better, and i guess this is a natural filter to keep bryant for committing or not
January 27th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
As much as I was opposed to Hoke being the coach I cant complain about the work this guy has put on on the kids in the last weeek or so.
I still reserve the onfield performance but the heart he is putting into making this class better than nothing is to be appluaded. As of now you can see why he was hired in.
January 27th, 2011 at 5:07 PM ^
... "A players Coach" .. thats awesome to hear and is a big deal. No wonder hes a great recruiter!
January 27th, 2011 at 5:07 PM ^
Do the right thing Chris and Go Blue. Everybody's doing it these days and as a matter of fact going blue is the new black.
January 27th, 2011 at 5:12 PM ^
Tom, thank you.
I have been very impressed with the quality of indivitual the coaches have been pursuing. I have to say I want them all to join Michigan, and will be bummed when some choose to go elsewhere.
In your opinion, does it feel like the character of this class is maybe a step above most that you have gotten to know?
Seems that character is a bond linking the two coaching regimes as well, the recruits generally see solid character in the new staff, similar to what they liked in the old staff.
January 27th, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^
Interview Tom,i think he's blue!!!
January 27th, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^
Magee showing up right after Hoke...not good.
January 27th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
January 27th, 2011 at 5:36 PM ^
I believe he will go blue , sounds like Hoke knows how to build up a relationship pretty quick , and efficient to say the least
January 27th, 2011 at 5:36 PM ^
January 27th, 2011 at 5:46 PM ^
January 27th, 2011 at 5:51 PM ^
He is playing it a bit coy-and kids that age of course can be fickle. But I will be shocked if he doesn't choose us. He's a very good pick-up for the class. Bringing on 2-3 big OL who have project to be strong contibutors as upperclassmen has to be part of building our program going forward.
January 27th, 2011 at 6:09 PM ^
Thanks for the post Tom. It does sound good for U-M, but we'll see tomorrow. Reading his comments here and previously, he also sounds like a really good kid. But, he should be a real obstacle for opposing defenders to get past in the future. I hope we continue to go to Simeon H.S. down the road - they seem to produce a lot of good players.
January 27th, 2011 at 6:13 PM ^
Didn't anyone else want Tom to ask him how Coach Hoke described the "new type of offense?"
January 27th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
January 27th, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^
... that scares me, is that he was being recruited by michigan before so he has to be familiar with calvin mcgee, but now mcgee is recruting him from pittsburg. I have to beleive arizona doesnt have much of a chance, he should go blue.
January 27th, 2011 at 6:51 PM ^
All bias aside, why would anyone pick Pitt over Michigan? Maybe if you grew up a Pitt fan, or your family lives really close by, but that's not the case for Chris. His family is closer to UM than Pittsburgh. Maybe if the depth chart at UM was tough but you saw early playing time at Pitt, but that's not the case here. I can't imagine Pitt's situation at OG is any worse than ours for an incoming player.
I have to imagine he goes Blue tomorrow.
January 27th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
The Pitt coaches are probably just making their last plea....besides they always tell the athletes to choose the program not the coach, and i feel like this should be more relevant for the OL position because scheme isn't all the important to them as it would be to a RB or QB, so with that said he better go blue, if he goes to Pitt then hes making a bad choice... GO BLUE
January 27th, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^
that film was hilarious--those little DBs had ZERO chance against this big man--can't wait to have him molded with college strength and conditioning--he looks to have a great motor
January 27th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
For us landing him. Have to say I'm mighty impressed with the last-minute work Hoke and his staff have put in on this class. Still not an A-level class, like the ones we had yearly under Carr, but it helps stave off a looming disaster and bodes well for next year's full recruiting class.
January 27th, 2011 at 9:37 PM ^
with the block M on it. Til then, I just feel hopeful.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^
Dear Chris,
Hope your dreams are in Maize and Blue!!
Thanks,
Josh and Lucy!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:24 PM ^
CHRIS: Ever since the first day I met them we hit it off.
I believe that's all you need to know.
I fully expect big Chris to be all blue tomorrow.
January 28th, 2011 at 8:16 AM ^
You are exactly the kind of player that this program needs. You would be a huge asset!
January 28th, 2011 at 9:15 AM ^
I noticed that he listed Arizona first. I wonder if that was a bit of his subconcious talking. Hope he picks big blue though!
January 28th, 2011 at 3:25 PM ^
January 28th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
This is huge for us! If Bryant comes there's a very good possibility Diamond will follow...
February 4th, 2011 at 5:29 AM ^
Very excited to see what Bryant can do in the coming years.
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