Gerard Bryant is a productive D-linemen for St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. While St. Lawrence has always been known as small-school powerhouse in hockey, the football program has languished in relative obscurity. Gerard has at least made the defense respectable over the past couple of seasons, and appears to have the talent to be looked at at the next level as a possible OLB candidate.

Among the leaders in tackles in DIII (as a defensive linemen) Gerard is an active player who pursues and shuffles down the line to make plays. He has decent size (6'0", 240) and is a good guy on and off the field.

Let me be first to congratulate Gerard on being selected the CDS Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and get the ball rolling here in his forum with a question:

Gerard, can you describe the defensive scheme that St.LawU employs, and tell us what types of different things you've been asked to do in that scheme?


P.S. If you want to read more about Gerard, check this out:
http://www.stlawu.edu/athletics/profiles/bryant.html

http://www.stlawu.edu/sports/football/bios/bryant.htm

Well at SLU we run a basic 4-4 defense with various types of disguises. We do many different blitz packages to confuse the offensive lineman and put pressure on the quarterback. In this kind of scheme I’m allowed to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback with the use of my hands, strength, and speed. I also play linebacker on our defense which is great because it does not limit me to just pass rushing or stopping the run. I get the opportunity to show more of what I can do by shedding blocks and dropping back into pass coverage.

Who are your defensive linemate starters likely to be next season, Gerard? Can you tell us a little about each one?

Also, what is your personal prognosis for one kind of year SLU will have this fall? Care to predict a W-L record, or..?

I’m not sure who all our starters are likely to be for next season but I’ll tell you a little about a two possible starters. Justin Veaga is a DT who started many games for us last season and plays well. He has the ability to make plays in the backfield and take on blocks to free up our linebackers. Christian Lopez is another DT who has great size and can cause problems in the trenches. Both of these guys are good solid players I help out all the time so our line can be explosive.
I don’t know if I can predict a record but I will say SLU football will have its best season this upcoming year. I know my school is known to always have a losing record but that’s going to change. I am going to lead our team to the playoffs for the first time since the 80’s. I know it’s a huge challenge but I know my team has the talent to pull it off. Like you said “St. Lawrence has always been known as small-school powerhouse in hockey” but I want to put the football program on the map. I am going to try and make this happen with my talent and leadership skills being that I will be a captain next year. I want my school to be known for football too. I also have very big expectation for myself this upcoming season. I’ve been training very hard so I can be the best and get an opportunity to play at the next level. It’s always been a dream and I have the talent, size, speed, hands, and strength that are needed. I am very athletic and can play several positions whether it’s DT, DE, FB or OLB I know I can get the job done all I need is that one chance.

Excellent read, Gerard! Thanks.

So...can you share any of your weight room numbers with us? What are your favorite moves when rushing the quarterback?

Squat: 575
Bench: 390
Clean: 350
I have several different moves I use when rushing the quarterback because I face many types of blocking schemes that are built to stop me, but I still find ways to make plays. This happens because my moves catch my opponents of guard. Being that I get double teamed every play or sometimes triple teamed it helps to have more than just three moves I can use in order to rush the quarterback. Some moves that I perform are club and rip, spin, push pull, bull rush, swim, or simply just beat my man with speed.

Very nice weight room numbers, Gerard. You are obviously dedicated to this game!

What kind of speed do you have, btw...

Also, have you talked to Coach Phelps about this honor? He wanted me to keep him in the loop on everything, but I don't have a number for him...

Gerard, It's great to have you here, in your defense do ever drop in coverage to the curl/flat/hook area and is there any film of you available?

Well my 40 time is the most important thing I’m working on this offseason. My current 40 times is between a 4.6 - 4.7, I’ve been training hard to run a better time and improve my footwork. Yes, I spoke to Coach Phelps his number is (315) 229-5785

My current position on my team is DT because it’s what my coaches need me to play but I think I’m better at LB. I do still play LB at times during the game where I drop back into coverage. I mainly just cover short drop and all crossing routs but there are times when I do cover the flats/hook routs. I’m sure this upcoming season I will be playing a lot more backer. I do have film if you want to see but it’s mostly me playing DT. I’ll try to post some film on my page within the next week or so.

Man! Anything sub 4.7 at 240 pounds is pretty darned good, Gerard.

It's huge that you've had some LB experience because, I am sure you know that is the only place the next level is likely to give you a look at. Keep working on that footwork!

I'll give coach a call right now.

Looks like we chose very well for our DIII Preseason DPOTY.

Here is Gerard's line after just 6 games:
51 Gerard Bryant 6 gms, 29 solo, 20 ast, 49 TT, 15.0 for -70 TFLs, 5.5 for - 39 sacks.

Gerard, are you still playing primarily DE, or....?

Well I play LB and DT also. During the game I’m basically all over the field. Sometimes I play FB in goal line to help punch it in.

Well, I am not a female, so my reactions will necessarily be slightly more muted than that, but I do think he deserves a look as a potential OLB conversion guy.

Wats up....
Here is some film from 2009....
I had 92 tackles playing D-Line....
I want to play FB or OLB at the next level....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLh09IxH1Ko

Thank you Gerard for the new footage, do you have any updated workout numbers as well?