The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant II plans on taking full advantage. Bryant II recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Bryant II also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his skill set as a bigger receiver, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Bryant better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Pat Bryant II: I was at Illinois. I had just left our facility. Coach B [head coach Brad Bielema] called me into his office. It was around bowl season, so I thought we were going to sit down and talk about the game plan for me.
I walked into his office and I saw the offensive coordinator [Barry Lunney Jr.] sitting on the couch as well. My first thought, I thought I was in trouble (laughs). And then I saw the camera guy sneaking out of the corner, and then I saw the [Reese’s Senior Bowl] box sitting on his desk.
It put a huge smile on my face. I was on the Senior Bowl watch list before the season started. Talking to my dad, we discussed how important the Senior Bowl is. Knowing that I had a productive season, I was hoping for an invite to go out there and showcase my skills.
It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a great feeling knowing that all my hard work paid off. I’m looking forward to competing against some of the best talents in college football. It’s very exciting.
JM: That sounds like a truly special moment. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Pat Bryant II: Growing up and playing college football, I’ve heard a lot of great things about how the Senior Bowl can increase your pre-draft stock. It’s the best pre-draft event you could be invited to.
I see it as a great opportunity to go out there and showcase my talent on the field one final time before the draft. It’s the next step in the process before the NFL Scouting Combine. I want to put some good things on tape in front of NFL scouts.
JM: Speaking of, what are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Pat Bryant II: I want to show everybody how passionate I am about the game of football. At the end of the day, I want scouts to see that I could be that playmaker that alters the outcome of a game. I’m a big-play guy that swings momentum in our favor.
I’m also a team-first guy that fits any NFL program. I’m going to be a great teammate at the Senior Bowl, proving I could fit into your system.
JM: We love that. How would you describe your overall skill set? Self-scout yourself for me.
Pat Bryant II: I’m a long and rangy outside wide receiver. I also have the ability to kick inside and play the slot. I can come in tight [to the line of scrimmage] and block the C-gap. I can block at the next level in the run game.
I’m also a 50-50 ball winner. I make big plays that change the outcome of a game. I also see myself as a very physical wide receiver. I run physical routes. I create separation at the top of my routes. I make those contested catches. I believe I had a 68% success rate on 50-50 balls this season, on a 70% target rate.
My main strength is my ability to come down with those 50-50 balls. I come down with those contested catches.
JM: You’re a bigger receiver. Do you have a favorite route to run?
Pat Bryant II: I love those dig routes. I make sure I get a nice inside release. I can catch that dig route across the middle and run the rest of the way for a touchdown. I can take that dig route for 100 yards!
JM: You talked about playing both inside and outside, but do you mainly see yourself playing that “X” boundary role in an offense?
Pat Bryant II: When it comes to playing at the next level, I just want to have as much availability and flexibility as possible. I’m going to learn every receiver position in the offense. When it comes to who dresses on a 53-man roster, it’s usually the guys that can play multiple roles for you.
I want to be that guy that forces the coaching staff into difficult decisions. I can every position on offense, and on special teams as well.
JM: Teams love that versatility. If you had to compare yourself to a current receiver, who would you choose and why? Who do you study and learn from? Do you have an NFL comp for yourself?
Pat Bryant II: I would definitely say Justin Jefferson. I’ve been watching him since my freshman year in college. My first position coach at Illinois gave us a list of guys to write reports on. We studied all of those players for a few months.
We had to display how their talents were compared to ours. I compared myself to Justin Jefferson because I also want to learn from him. He’s had a ton of success at the next level.
JM: As a follow-up, are there any NFL players you’re looking forward to eventually swapping jerseys with?
Pat Bryant II: My boy Devon Witherspoon immediately comes to mind. Playing with him at Illinois, we were roommates during his senior season. Practicing with him, coming home and watching film with him, I was blessed to learn from such a great player and person.
He definitely elevated my game and helped me understand the importance of watching film. Any chance I get to swap jerseys with Witherspoon, I’m going to be very excited when that moment comes. We talked about it. He already told me he’s so proud of me for going through this pre-draft process.
He’s given me a ton of advice on what it takes to be successful. I can’t wait to swap jerseys with Spoon at the next level.
JM: We love the relationship between yourself and Devon Witherspoon. Fun question before we let you go. What’s on Pat Bryant’s pre-game playlist?
Pat Bryant II: I’m listening to “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill. I have a little superstition with that song. Every time we pull up to Memorial Stadium, we have to play that song. I’m going to keep that tradition going at the next level. We’ll see where it takes me.
JM: I think Meek Mill’s best album is “Championships” personally.
Pat Bryant: Yeah, “Championships” is a hard album too. Dreams and Nightmares was like the first one. I remember playing it all throughout high school. It’s a song that puts me in that mode, like everything I’ve ever dreamed of is right at my fingertips.
JM: And you’re about to get it. This has been awesome. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Pat Bryant II?
Pat Bryant II: It means I went out there and showcased the same positive traits NFL coaches saw from me on tape during the scouting process. I want them to see it firsthand. I’m excited to showcase my work ethic throughout the week. I’m extremely competitive throughout drills, one-on-ones, etc.
I can’t wait for game prep so I can show everyone I’m a quick learner. I can learn a new playbook on the fly.
I’m going to excel at the Senior Bowl.
