Cowboys' Bryant shows signs of being a star

By Mike Baldwin

Published: April 6, 2008

STILLWATER — The pass was thrown behind Dez Bryant, but the sophomore wide receiver outfought a defensive back for the ball to complete a nifty 21-yard reception.

A few minutes later Bryant made a dazzling one-handed catch. He capped off his day with a 25-yard touchdown.

Those three plays in Friday's scrimmage underscore what Oklahoma State fans witnessed late last season — Bryant could be a budding star.

"When he plays totally focused I wouldn't trade him for anybody in the country,” said quarterback Zac Robinson. "His big-play ability is huge.”

When OSU star receiver Adarius Bowman was sidelined by a bruised knee late last season, Bryant became OSU's go-to receiver.

Bryant was especially effective in the red zone. Using basketball-like skills, Bryant excels at leaping above defenders to score touchdowns off lob throws.

"He's a playmaker who can make the phenomenal catch,” said co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer. "It's genetic. Some people have that knack. He has that knack.

"We just need him to become more consistent and play without the ball. As he grows older, he will. A lot of people expect a lot of things because of his ability. But he's still very young. We want him to grow up faster than most people do.”

Coaches have said Bryant needs to become a more complete player. He sometimes takes plays off. He needs to improve his blocking. In Friday's scrimmage, Bryant twice jumped offsides.

"He's pretty good when the ball is in the air,” said coach Mike Gundy. "He can make a play at anytime. But he has to become a more complete player to stay on the field. We've had success on offense because the 10 guys without the ball play hard.”

While he remains a work in progress, it's apparent to even casual fans that Bryant has unique skills. As a true freshman he hauled in 43 receptions for 622 yards and six touchdowns.

As he became more comfortable with OSU's complex spread offense, Bryant blossomed late in the year. In the final six games he compiled 31 receptions for 469 yards, highlighted by a nine-catch, 117-yard performance in a win over Indiana in the Insight Bowl.

Bowman became only the second receiver in OSU history to compile two 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Bryant could join Bowman and Rashaun Woods.

"Bowman does some things better than he does, but Dez does a lot of things better than AD, like catching deep balls,” Robinson said. "He has a tenacity to get the football. Either he's going to catch it or nobody's going to catch it.”

Co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor, who coaches receivers, has been with Bryant for only four months but instantly knew the Lufkin, Texas, product has game-breaking talent.

"Unbelievable,” Taylor said. "Some of those things I don't have a drill for. It's genetics and ability. What I like is he's not afraid to work. You can push him.

"We're getting him out of what I call a dirt kicker. What I mean by that is following a bad play or dropped ball, you kick the dirt or slap your hands. You have to let that play go and get ready for the next one. That's called mental toughness.”

Brewer was OSU's receivers coach last season when Bryant arrived on campus during the summer. During two-a-days he routinely made jaw-dropping, acrobatic catches but had much to learn.

"He's light years ahead of where he was,” Brewer said. "He understands the offense. Last August he had to fend for himself. We tried to get a few plays he could learn. Now he knows where other people are supposed to be lined up other than himself.”

Similar to Robinson, who frustrates defenses on the option play, Bryant's knack for big plays forces defenses to account for No. 1 every time he's in the game.

"With how defenses play us, if they're biting up on the run, we can go over the top for big plays,” Robinson said. "He can take a lot of pressure off me and take a lot of pressure off the offensive line.”

Gundy hasn't allowed the media to interview Bryant. Those who know him have described Bryant as a vocal, boisterous, shoot-from-the-lip player.

"That's why Dez and I get along great,” Taylor said, smiling. "He's at the apartment all the time. We've spent a lot of time hanging out, not just talking football. Of course, I try to find a way to say something about football.

"We just enjoy being around each other. We've been to church together, me, him and his girlfriend. All those things will help him become a complete person and player, not sometime but all the time.”

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