Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Bryant working his way back
Ankle injury has sidelined TE 4 months
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic tight end Harrison Bryant is unable to remember when it happened.
All he could recall was the pain that caused him to miss the most thrilling part of last season. After being sidelined the final three games because of a fractured ankle, Bryant is once again part of the offense.
“I just remember the FIU game, coming off the field after one possession and I couldn’t really walk on my foot,” Bryant said. “I went back out, came off [the field], went in and got an X-ray and they said it was fractured.”
Bryant, a junior, is steadily working back to regaining the form that made him one of the team’s top receiving threats. He caught 32 passes for 408 yards and five touchdowns before his season ended.
Bryant was forced to wear a walking boot while the Owls capped a 10-game winning streak by winning their first Conference USA title and the Boca Raton Bowl.
He isn’t focused on what he missed, but recovering so he can contribute to a potential repeat performance.
“Kind of struggling a little bit, getting my feet back under me a little bit,” Bryant said. “I’m not doing fourthquarter (drills) but I’m progressing every day.”
Bryant was sidelined for nearly four months before returning to the field. He was only cleared for contact a week prior to the start of spring practices.
His return gives the Owls yet another weapon, joining running back Devin “Motor” Singletary and receiver Willie Wright. Coach Lane Kiffin said the 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pound Bryant brings a different dimension to the offense.
“A lot of that is his length, his ability to bounce off people,” Kiffin said. “He’s an NFL-potential tight end.”
Harrison said he is near 100 percent healthy, but his biggest concern now is adjusting to the new playbook. The Owls are in their first year under offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.
“Everything is starting to click a little,” Bryant said. “Everybody is kind of struggling as an offense to get back together as a unit, but we’re doing pretty good getting used to the new plays and starting to bond really well.” Bain, a senior. “I still need some work at it. I’m a selfmotivator, so I’m going to be good but, I’ve got to look to my right and then help those guys up when they feel down.”
Bain’s leadership will be especially counted upon, because the Owls will have three new starters. He’s spent lots of time on the phone with Woods and Fernandez seeking advice.
“I talk to them every now and then,” Bain said. “Just to get some pointers about being a leader. (Woods) just told meY, `ou’ve got to come with it everyday. You can’t take any day off.’”