Oklahoma State University Athletics
Up Close With Terrance Davis-Bryant
April 17, 2003 | Cowboy Football
The wide receiver corps will receive a lot of national attention for Oklahoma State this season, showcasing their big play capabilities. One player who will receive his fair share of notoriety is Terrance Davis-Bryant.
Bryant was the second-leading receiver for the Cowboys a year ago, and he did make the biggest play in the biggest game in front of the best defensive back in the country.
Rashaun Woods and Bryant feed off of each other. You cannot have one without the other. That much was evident in the Oklahoma game when Woods scored the game winning touchdown following Bryant's big play.
Bryant's 38 catches were second to only Woods, who did rewrite the school record books last season. Bryant was also 12th in the NCAA in punt returns, which makes him dangerous not only on offense, but also on special teams.
His 368 yards was third on the team for the Houston native, behind Woods and John Lewis. Bryant was also ninth in the conference in all-purpose running yards.
"From watching Rashaun I have noticed how he drops his hips and can stop on a dime," Bryant said. "I am learning how to do that much better now."
Bryant has also been able to work with new receivers' coach Todd Monken who came over from Louisiana Tech. Monken was working with receivers out of the spread offense while at Tech.
"Coach Monken has taught me a few things like how to run better and crisper routes."
One thing Bryant has learned on his own is that it isnt how big you are or how fast you can run, but how you put your size and speed to use. He has discovered that the better receiver is not necessarily the most athletic, but the smartest.
"You can be fast and not be able to run a route," Bryant said. "You have to be smart and use your speed to the best of your ability."
The Cowboys have a deep receiving corps with T.D. Bryant figuring to be right in the middle of opposing defenses. He has learned a lot in his four years of playing experience at OSU and he can pass that on to some of the younger players on the team.
Errick McCown, a redshirt freshman slot receiver, is one such player who can learn from the knowledge Bryant has to offer, while Bryant is still learning himself.
While there are a lot of people to gain knowledge from in a very experienced receiving corps; the one thing Bryant says that does not matter is who puts the ball in the air.
"It does not really matter who throws the ball," Bryant said. "The runningbacks and the receivers have to make plays."
Bryant figures to make his fair share of plays this season for the Oklahoma State offense, where there is not one person to focus on but five or six.
"If Rashaun Woods is double-teamed than I have to do my part to make a play and vice versa," Bryant said.
"T.D. is the glue that holds everything together," head coach Les Miles said. "We need him to move the chains and be successful. Woods and Bryant go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. Bryant is a valuable piece to this offense."
