The 2025 Senior Bowl had its conclusive and final day of padded practices on Thursday. It represented the final opportunity for 2025 NFL Draft hopefuls to put quality practice film on tape in front of NFL scouts and evaluators. Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant II was a big-time standout, highlighting his dominance during Thursday morning’s practice.
The National Team worked red-zone periods early on Thursday. That perfectly suits the 6-foot-2, 208-pound Bryant. It allowed him to display his standout strength, dominating at the catch point.
Bryant was aligned in man coverage on one particular eye-popping rep. Despite creating separation, the National Team quarterback oddly declined an opportunity to throw the ball during the initial drill. With both receiver and corner returning to re-do the drill, Bryant then arguably made the catch of the Senior Bowl, securing the ball near the back left corner of the end zone.
Illinois WR Pat Bryant might have the catch of the Day !!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ktUgCcG5i5
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) January 30, 2025
Bryant has been a fluid route runner all week long. The Illinois standout has been explosive. Above all, Bryant has showcased his ability to dominate in man-to-man situations, using his towering frame to box out defenders at the catch point.
“I want scouts in Mobile to see that I could be that playmaker that alters the outcome of a game,” Bryant exclusively told The Draft Network in January. “I’m a long and rangy outside wide receiver. I’m also a 50-50 ball winner. I make those contested catches. I believe I had a 68% success rate on 50-50 balls this season, on a 70% target rate.”
Bryant backed that during red-zone periods. He's simply an incredibly tough assignment for opposing cornerbacks in one-on-one situations in the end zone. Bryant routinely possesses the advantage in those money-down scenarios.
In Mobile, Bryant has certainly appeared capable of playing an “X” receiver role at the next level. In a pass-dominant league, an alpha go-get-it boundary presence is a quarterback's best friend. That's what Bryant has been throughout three practices, showing evaluators exactly what they identified on tape throughout the season.
Bryant recorded career highs at Illinois in every major receiving category this season, totaling 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged an explosive 18.2 yards per catch, proving that his big frame is capable of making big-time plays down the field. It was exactly what scouts wanted to see from a receiver prospect in his senior campaign.
On tape, Bryant is a physical route-runner with a strong, large catch radius. A long strider with build-up speed, Bryant is capable of stacking defensive backs vertically before turning 50-50 balls into 75-25 opportunities. He came to Mobile to reinforce his ability to dominate outside while dictating the physicality. It’s been extremely evident.
Bryant possesses clear-cut traits that make his evaluation a comfortable one for NFL scouts. The ability to win on the perimeter should get Bryant involved in a pro offense immediately. His time in Mobile highlighted a potential solution for offensive coordinators outside.
