Bryant accepts offer to walk on at WKU

BRADENTON — When Tevin Bryant made his debut as a Braden River High running back his junior year it was a stunner.

In only his second game at the position near the end of the season, Bryant rushed for a school single game record 280 yards. He followed that up his senior year in 2009 with 1,654 yards rushing to lead Manatee County.

Now the 5-10, 215 pounder hopes to have a repeat performance at the collegiate level after accepting an offer to become a preferred walk-on at Western Kentucky.

Bryant received the offer from WKU assistant coach Raymond Woodie, who was the head coach at Palmetto High last season. He got to see Bryant’s talents first hand as he watched him rush for more than 170 yards against his team.

Bryant played linebacker his sophomore year and all of his junior season except for the final two games when he was switched to running back. It hurt his chances of getting a scholarship to play the position in college, but the coaches at WKU see him as a possible diamond in the rough.

“I can’t wait to get up there and show them what I can do. I think I got kind of slighted,” Bryant said. “They pay for my meals and lodging this summer, and I can compete for a scholarship. I am working out three times a day to be ready.

“I got noticed late as a running back and a couple of college coaches said that hurt me. I had only two games as a running back my junior year and hurt my ankle in the second game.”

If Bryant doesn’t get an athletic scholarship, he will still receive financial aid because of his academics that include a 3.0 plus GPA and high scores on the SAT and ACT.

“I can play offense or defense, but they told me they want me to be a running back and that feels good to me,” Bryant said. “I am pretty good at both, but I’ve been a running back a long time (in the youth leagues). I see myself as a downhill type of runner and believe I will have a chance to play next year. I am real excited and can’t wait to get up there.”

Bryant has been working under the tutelage of Mike Gough, a local trainer who owns Athletic Edge Sports Conditioning Center in Bradenton and trains a lot of players for the NFL Combine.

“Tevin’s biggest asset as a running back is his acceleration and that is what helps him on the field more than your time in the 40 (yard dash),” Gough said. “He is a powerful kid that changes direction real well and has good speed for his size. One of his biggest assets is his work ethic. He is also a state champ in weightlifting and has good strength and a good power base.”