Tennessee added a transfer with a lot of SEC experience. Former Auburn striker Big Kat Bryant announced Saturday night that he has committed to playing for the Vols and the head coach Jeremy Pruitt, following his former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele who the program hired this week.
An All-SEC defensive end at Auburn in 2020, Bryant, a senior, announced last week that he would transfer and enjoy the NCAA’s free year of eligibility.
“I have decided that it is in my interest to enter the transfer portal to weigh my options for next season,” Bryant wrote on Twitter last Sunday. “I’m ready to dominate. Come on!”
Your leadership and guidance have brought me to where I am today! Blessed with the opportunity to play on the same field with you again @shelton_felton ! Once my trainer, always my trainer ?? #COMMITED @DansleyAnsley @CoachJPruitt pic.twitter.com/DUi8lLtSW6
– BigKat Bryant (@BigKat) January 17, 2021
A second choice for the All-SEC team, Bryant had three sacks and an interception last season. He ends his career on the plains with 10 bags, two forced fumbles and three choices.
Bryant was hit with an ankle injury in Auburn’s victory over Kentucky at the opening of the season, and later suffered an undisclosed minor injury mid-season. He lost the Arkansas game in week 3 and played limited snaps in the following weeks.
As soon as he started to regain his health and confidence, Bryant became an ace in the second half of the season, which led him to agree with the All-SEC. He managed an interception in Auburn’s burst victory over LSU – the fourth takeaway of his career – and recorded three sacks in Auburn’s last four games of the season. Bryant dragged the quarterback down on the last defensive move of the regular season against the State of Mississippi, just hours after he crossed the stage during his graduation ceremony in Auburn.
New Auburn Head Coach Bryan Harsin officially hired seven of Auburn’s 10 technical assistants, but has not yet appointed a defensive line coach. Rodney Garner he held the position since 2013 and trained Bryant and Newkirk during their careers at Auburn.
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“I like him and I really think he has the right training philosophy to lead this team so that one day he can win championships,” said Bryant of Harsin after the Citrus Bowl. “I really believe that.”
Auburn Undercover contributed to this report.