Senior Derrick Bryant is the Ultimate Teammate
Life as an LSU student-athlete requires tremendous skill, commitment, dedication and teamwork. For senior safety Derrick Bryant, his hard work and collaboration with teammates have earned him four years of memories along with a lifetime of friendships.
In his final season as a Tiger, he aims to be a model for his younger teammates and appreciates the opportunities he’s given to do so.
“I try to be a positive figure for the guys around me,” Bryant said. “I work to do things correctly, and I’m ready whenever I’m needed in any position. I try to be the type of player that can play strong. It feels great anytime you can make a play for your teammates.”
As Bryant, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., provides valuable depth in the secondary and excels on special teams, he dedicates himself to be the player his teammates can depend on.
“I work hard and pay attention so I’ll know as much as I possibly can in case someone goes down,” he said. “That way I can step in and fill any role that’s needed. I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunities and help my team as much as possible.”
While he insists he is a “quiet guy,” Bryant takes no shortcuts in his role as a leader. He admires the hard work his teammates devote to practice and games, and he encourages them to continue supporting each other.
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“We’re all so talented,” he said. “Everyone pushes themselves, and we all help each other out. I’ve been here for a while, so I help the guys that haven’t been here as long pick up on a lot of things.”
While he feels no additional pressure as a senior, other than ensuring his graduation, he still hopes to achieve his goals for LSU in his final season as a Tiger.
He says that discussions and preparations for this season were underway long before it began, and the team as a whole has high hopes for a grand finale to their impressive season.
“We want to win the SEC West and the SEC Championship, and then hopefully the National Championship,” he said.
Bryant believes this football season has been great, and while a championship ring would be the crowning moment of his college career, it would also represent four years of memories gained as an LSU Tiger.
“My favorite moment is right before the game,” he said. “It’s the time where we’re getting ready to take the field. The team is getting hyped. It’s one of the best times I can think of. It’s that little extra fight you put into the team before you take the field.”
He feels that pregame hype is essential, as he said it “helps players get their minds right and get them focused on what they need to do so they can take care of their assignments.”
However, hard work and memories aren’t the only things Bryant will take with him. Any championships won won’t compare to his lasting friendships with teammates.
“We’ve become a very close-knit group of guys,” he said, smiling. “I’d do anything for those guys, and I’m sure they’d do anything for me. I definitely think they will stay in contact with me, and I’ll stay in contact with them even after we leave LSU. We’ll be friends for a long time.”