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Coby Bryant
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Coby Bryant (born March 29, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Bryant grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Glenville High School.[1]
College career
[edit]Bryant mostly played on special teams during his freshman season.[2] He was named a starter going into his sophomore year and had 33 tackles and two interceptions.[3] Bryant finished his junior season with 54 tackles, eight passes broken up and one interception.[4] Bryant was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) as a senior.[5] After considering entering the 2021 NFL draft, Bryant decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and return to Cincinnati for a fifth season.[6] Bryant repeated as a first-team All-AAC selection as a senior and was named the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award.[7]
Professional career
[edit]Pre-draft
[edit]Cory Giddings of Bleacher Report ranked Bryant as the eighth best cornerback prospect (63rd overall) in the draft.[8] Dane Brugler of the Athletic and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Bryant ranked as the 10th best cornerback draft prospect.[9] Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated ranked him as the 17th best cornerback prospect in the draft.[10] He was ranked as the 18th best cornerback in the draft by Pro Football Focus.[9] NFL draft analysts and scouts projected him to be selected in the third or fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
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| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+3⁄8 in (1.86 m) |
193 lb (88 kg) |
30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
6 ft 1+5⁄8 in (1.87 m) |
4.48 s | 1.56 s | 2.62 s | 4.33 s | 7.31 s | 33.0 in (0.84 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
17 reps |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[11][12][13] | ||||||||||||
2022
[edit]The Seattle Seahawks selected Bryant in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. They originally acquired the pick in a trade in 2020 with the New York Jets along with Jamal Adams.[14] He was the 13th cornerback selected in 2022 and was the first of two cornerbacks drafted by the Seahawks, along with their fifth round pick (153rd overall) Tariq Woolen. They were drafted to provide depth at the position following the departure of D. J. Reed. He was also the third Cincinnati defensive back selected following first round pick (4th overall) Sauce Gardner and second round pick (62nd overall) Bryan Cook.
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On July 26, 2022, the Seattle Seahawks signed Bryant to a four–year, $4.46 million rookie contract that includes an initial signing bonus of $807,804.[15]
Throughout training camp, he competed to be a starting cornerback against Sidney Jones, Justin Coleman, Tre Brown, Artie Burns, and fellow rookie Tariq Woolen under defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt. He also competed to be the starting nickelback against Justin Coleman.[16] Head coach Pete Carroll named him a backup cornerback and listed him as fifth on the depth chart to begin the season, behind starting duo Tariq Woolen and Michael Jackson Sr. and primary backups Justin Coleman and Sidney Jones.[17]
On September 12, 2022, Bryant made his professional regular season debut during the Seattle Seahawks' home-opener against the Denver Broncos, but did not record a stat with only two snaps on defense as they won 17–16. After Week 1, Bryant became the starting nickelback after Justin Coleman injured his calf and was inactive for the next four games (Weeks 2–5).[18] In Week 2, he recorded five combined tackles (four solo) during a 7–27 loss at the San Francisco 49ers. The following week, Bryant had one solo tackle and had his first career sack on quarterback Marcus Mariota for a six–yard loss as the Seahawks lost 23–27 to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. On October 2, 2022, Bryant earned his first career start at nickelback and had six combined tackles (three solo) during a 48–45 victory at the Detroit Lions.[18] In Week 6, he set a season-high with eight combined tackles (six solo) during a 19–9 win against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished his rookie season with a total of 70 combined tackles (52 solo), four passes defended, four forced fumbles, and two sacks while appearing in all 17 games with six starts.[19] He received an overall grade of 58.9 from Pro Football Focus as a rookie in 2022.[20]
The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2022 NFL season second in the NFC West with a 9–8 record to earn a playoff berth. On January 14, 2023, Bryant appeared in the first postseason game of his career, but was limited to one solo tackle as the Seahawks lost the NFC Wild-Card Game 23–41 at the San Francisco 49ers.
2023
[edit]Heading into training camp, Bryant was projected to be a backup and was a possible candidate for the job as the starting nickelback after the Seahawks drafted Devon Witherspoon in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. Head coach Pete Carroll named Bryant as the starting nickelback and listed him as the third cornerback on the depth chart to start the season, behind starters Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon.[21]
On September 10, 2023, Bryant started in the Seattle Seahawks' home-opener against the Los Angeles Rams and set a season-high with nine combined tackles (seven solo) as they lost 13–30. On October 14, 2023, the Seahawks officially placed Bryant on injured reserve after he injured the same toe he had previously injured during the off-season.[22] On November 23, 2023, the Seahawks activated him from injured reserve and added him back to their active roster after he was inactive for eight consecutive games (Weeks 3–11).[23] He finished the 2023 NFL season with only 18 combined tackles (14 solo) in nine games and two starts.[24]
2024
[edit]On January 31, 2024, the Seattle Seahawks announced the hiring of Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as their new head coach.[25] Under new defensive coordinator Aden Durde, Bryant fully transitioned from cornerback to free safety after he began to learn the position during training camp in 2023. He moved to safety following the departures of Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams that also coincided with the Seahawks drafting cornerbacks Nehemiah Pritchett and D. J. James in the 2024 NFL draft. Throughout training camp, he competed to be the starting free safety against Rayshawn Jenkins and K'Von Wallace. Bryant began the season as a backup safety behind starting safety duo Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Love.[26]
He became the starting free safety beginning in Week 7 after Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve due to a hand injury. On October 20, 2024, Bryant earned his first start at free safety and set a season-high with 11 combined tackles (seven solo), made one pass deflection, and had his first career interception on a pass attempt thrown by Kirk Cousins to tight end Kyle Pitts during a 34–14 victory at the Atlanta Falcons. On November 24, 2024, Bryant made six solo tackles, one pass deflection, and scored his first career touchdown on a pick-six after picking off a pass attempt by Kyler Murray to wide receiver Michael Wilson and returned it for a 69–yard touchdown in the third quarter of a 6–16 win against the Arizona Cardinals.[27] His performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 12.[28] He finished the 2024 NFL season with a total of 73 combined tackles (48 solo), six pass deflections, three interceptions, and one touchdown in 17 games and 11 starts.[29] He received an overall grade of 72.8 from Pro Football Focus in 2024.[30]
2025
[edit]Bryant had four total tackles in Super Bowl LV, a 29–13 win over the New England Patriots.[31]
Personal life
[edit]Bryant was named after the basketball player Kobe Bryant but his parents changed the spelling for uniqueness.[32] He is the younger brother of former NFL safety Christian Bryant.[33] He wears his jersey number 8 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant.[34]
References
[edit]- ^ Wright, Branson (October 11, 2019). "Big brother is watching — and helping: Glenville grad Coby Bryant motivated by Christian Bryant's career". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ Lesmerises, Doug (April 28, 2022). "Cleveland's Coby Bryant is carrying the Bryant way, and his entire family, into the NFL draft: Doug Lesmerises". cleveland.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Justin (August 16, 2019). "UC position outlook: Do not throw at Coby Bryant". The Athletic. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ Jenkins, Keith (October 10, 2020). "Cincinnati CB Coby Bryant channeling Kobe's 'Mamba Mentality'". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ Jenkins, Chris (July 26, 2021). "Cincinnati Bearcats cornerbacks Gardner, Bryant named to Jim Thorpe Award watchlist". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ Clark, Dave (January 3, 2021). "UC defensive back Coby Bryant announces he'll return to Bearcats". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Coby Bryant makes history by winning Jim Thorpe Award". Cincinnati.com. December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ Cory Giddings (April 26, 2022). "Coby Bryant NFL draft 2022: scouting report for Cincinnati CB". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ a b Eric Smith (April 22, 2022). "2022 NFL draft prospects for Vikings: cornerbacks". Vikings.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Kevin Hanson (March 25, 2022). "2022 NFL draft prospect rankings: cornerbacks". si.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Coby Bryant Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Coby Bryant College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Official Measurements for 2022 NFL Combine Defensive Backs". SteelersNow.com. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ Clark, Dave (April 30, 2022). "Reactions: Coby Bryant, UC Bearcats DB, drafted by Seattle Seahawks in fourth round". The Enquirer. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Coby Bryant contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Tim Weaver (June 26, 2022). "Seahawks: 5 key position battles to watch at 2022 training camp". seahawkswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ John Boyle (August 30, 2022). "A Position-By-Position Look At The Seahawks' Initial 2022 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ a b Gregg Bell (October 2, 2022). "Justin Coleman out again, rookie Coby Bryant in prominent Seahawks role again in Detroit". thenewstribune.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Coby Bryant 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Trevor Sikkema (January 12, 2023). "Ranking the top draft classes from the 2022 NFL season". PFF.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ John Gilbert (September 5, 2023). "Seahawks Week 1 depth chart is out". fieldgulls.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Boyle, John (October 14, 2023). "Seahawks Place CB Coby Bryant On Injured Reserve; Elevate WR Cody Thompson From Practice Squad". Seahawks.com.
- ^ Boyle, John (November 23, 2023). "Seahawks Activate Coby Bryant From Injured Reserve, Place Jerrick Reed II On Injured Reserve". Seahawks.com.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Coby Bryant Game Logs (2023)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Boyle, John (January 31, 2024). "Mike Macdonald Named Head Coach Of The Seattle Seahawks". Seahawks.com. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ John Boyle (August 27, 2024). "A position-by-position look at the Seahawks' initial 2024 53-man roster". Seahawks.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Tamurian, Niko (November 25, 2024). "Rapid reaction: Coby Bryant's pick six propels Seahawks past Cardinals". KOMO. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Alper, Josh (November 27, 2024). "Coby Bryant named NFC defensive player of the week". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Coby Bryant game logs (2024)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Coby Bryant". PFF.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Super Bowl LX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 8th, 2026". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ Obee, Maliik (July 8, 2022). "8 things to know about Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant". Seahawks.com. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Helmholdt, Josh (June 28, 2016). "Coby Bryant could be Glenville's break out star". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "Coby Bryant to wear the number 8 in the NFL in honor of Kobe Bryant". MARCA. May 9, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · CBS Sports · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Seattle Seahawks bio
- Cincinnati Bearcats bio
Coby Bryant
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Coby Bryant was born on March 29, 1999, in Cleveland, Ohio.[9] Bryant grew up in a close-knit family led by his parents, Ronnie and Tanisha Bryant, alongside his older brother, Christian Bryant, who is seven years his senior. Christian, a former safety, played college football at Ohio State University from 2010 to 2013 and was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, where he appeared in 12 games over two seasons with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals before injuries ended his professional career. The brothers shared a competitive sibling dynamic, with Coby often imitating Christian's drills and attending his pee wee and high school games alongside their father, Ronnie, who emphasized a strong work ethic.[10][11][12] The Bryant family environment in Cleveland was deeply rooted in football and resilience, influenced by the city's robust sports culture and the guidance of Ronnie and Tanisha's parents, who instilled values of humility and relentless drive summarized in the family motto "humble, but hungry." Christian's career, marked by early success at Glenville High School and collegiate achievements followed by setbacks, served as a pivotal influence, motivating Coby to adopt an "alpha" mentality from a young age. Early exposure to the sport came through family involvement and community programs in Cleveland's East Side, where football was a central part of local identity, fostering Bryant's initial passion and development before his organized high school involvement.[10][11]High school career
Coby Bryant attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, a program renowned for producing professional football talent under the guidance of head coach Ted Ginn Sr.[5][13] As a standout cornerback, Bryant lettered for three years and earned all-conference and all-district honors during his junior and senior seasons.[5] During his junior year, he recorded 50 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception while playing both cornerback and safety.[14] Over his high school career, he amassed 12 interceptions.[5] Bryant contributed significantly to the Tarbloodhounds' success, helping the team achieve a 7-0 record in Senate League play in 2016 and a 7-4 overall mark in his senior year, advancing to the regional finals.[15][5] Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com, Bryant was ranked among the top three cornerbacks in Ohio for the class of 2017 by Scout.[5] He received scholarship offers from multiple colleges, including Cincinnati, and committed to the University of Cincinnati on January 19, 2017.[16][17]College career
Time at University of Cincinnati
Coby Bryant, a highly regarded defensive back from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, committed to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats as a cornerback on January 19, 2017, and officially signed his national letter of intent on February 1, 2017.[18] He enrolled at Cincinnati that summer, joining a recruiting class that marked a turning point for the program under head coach Luke Fickell.[19] As a true freshman in 2017, Bryant saw limited action, appearing in 12 games primarily on special teams and as a reserve safety, where he recorded minimal defensive contributions while adapting to college-level play.[4] Bryant's role evolved rapidly in his second year, as he transitioned to cornerback and earned a starting position for the 2018 season, anchoring the secondary in all 13 games during the season in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) under Fickell.[3] He maintained his starting role through the 2019 and 2020 seasons, starting every game in 2019 (14 games) and all 10 contests in the COVID-shortened 2020 schedule, helping the Bearcats achieve back-to-back bowl appearances and solidifying the program's rise as a competitive force in the AAC.[4] By his fifth year in 2021, Bryant had become a cornerstone of the defense, starting all 14 games and playing a pivotal role in Cincinnati's historic undefeated regular season that earned the team their first-ever College Football Playoff berth.[3] During the 2021 postseason, Bryant's contributions were key to the Bearcats' Peach Bowl victory over Indiana, a 38-10 win that advanced them to the Cotton Bowl semifinal against Alabama, marking a high point in the program's trajectory just before its impending move to the Big 12 Conference in 2023.[20] Over his five seasons, he appeared in 63 games and started 49 as a four-year starter, evolving from a raw recruit into a lockdown defender who helped transform Cincinnati into a national contender.[5] Academically, Bryant majored in interdisciplinary studies and graduated in December 2020 after four years, before utilizing his additional year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic to return for the 2021 season.[21][13]College achievements and statistics
During his five-year collegiate career at the University of Cincinnati from 2017 to 2021, Coby Bryant established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), amassing 10 interceptions, 45 passes defensed (ranking second all-time in program history), and 172 total tackles over 63 games played.[22][23][24] His interceptions tied for 11th in AAC history since 1976, while his passes defensed highlighted his ball skills and coverage prowess.[4] Bryant's statistical progression showcased steady development, particularly in his later seasons as a starter. As a freshman in 2017, he appeared in 12 games with minimal defensive contributions, recording 4 total tackles. His sophomore year in 2018 marked an early breakout, with 33 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 11 passes defensed across 13 games. In 2019 as a junior, he started all 14 games, leading the team with 54 tackles (37 solo) and adding 9 passes defensed and 1 interception. The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Bryant tie for the AAC lead with 4 interceptions while recording 35 tackles and 11 passes defensed in 10 starts. His senior year in 2021 was his most productive, with 46 tackles, a team-high 14 passes defensed, 3 interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), and 3 forced fumbles over 14 games.[4][3][20]| Season | Class | Games Played | Total Tackles | Interceptions | Passes Defensed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | FR | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | SO | 13 | 33 | 2 | 11 |
| 2019 | JR | 14 | 54 | 1 | 9 |
| 2020 | SR | 10 | 35 | 4 | 11 |
| 2021 | SR | 14 | 46 | 3 | 14 |
| Career | - | 63 | 172 | 10 | 45 |
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