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Brady HendersonESPN
RENTON, Wash. Seattle SeahawksWith one of the most unique names in the draft, taking Addressing One of Their Biggest Needs Cincinnaticornerback Coby BryantSaturday's fourth-round pick.
Yes, Seattle's newest secondary member is named after the NBA legend. Is it really a pressure to be named after one the greatest basketball players ever?
Bryant stated that there was no pressure, but it was more of a privilege to work with reporters in the Seattle area. It's just that I have to work twice the hard to live up my name, set a name, and represent him as best as I can.
Bryant revealed that his parents were avid Kobe Bryant fanatics from far when Bryant was growing up. Their son's name was given a different spelling to give it some personality.
Bryant stated, “My parents loved Kobe Bryant. They loved everything he brought to this table as an athlete and as a human being.” “So that's somebody my parents knew instantly that that was the person they wanted to name after me.”
The Seahawks needed to strengthen the position of cornerback, but they didn't have the chance to select either one of the top two draft options. Derek Stingley Jr.And Ahmad GardnerBoth of them were already gone when Seattle's first pick at No. 9. They instead landed Gardner's college teammate as the 109th overall selection.
Bryant was present at the scouting meet and Bryant was available for a Zoom call two weeks later. He watched film with Karl Scott who is their new defensive passing coordinator and defensive backs coaches.
Bryant stated, “I knew that I was good after the interview.” “Lo, and behold, the call came in.”
Bryant, in addition to his interesting name brings a lot more production and experience to Seattle’s secondary. Bryant was the nation's top defensive back and won the Jim Thorpe Award. He played opposite Gardner, who finished fourth in the overall rankings. New York JetsAfter the Houston TexansStingley was selected one pick earlier. Bryant, 23, recorded nine interceptions as well as 35 passes defensed in his four years as a college player.
Bryant described himself to be a physical cornerback with high football intelligence who makes many plays on the ball.
He said, “I would say that my ball skills were the best in draft.”
Was it his basketball ability?
Bryant stated that Bryant would probably say Bryant is more of a dunker. “I dunk real well. I can shoot a little bit since I am a lefty, but beyond that, I really don't have much to do.”
Bryant's Cincinnati teammates called him sometimes the Red Mamba, a play on Kobe Bryant’s nickname or Bean. This was Bryant’s middle name. Last season, he wore No. After wearing No. 7, he switched to No. 8. 8 for Cotton Bowl as he wanted honor his father's name.
“I was grateful that coach [Luke]Fickell was able to understand that and allowed me No. Fickell understood that and allowed me to wear No. 8,” he stated.
Bryant joins a group of cornerbacks that also includes Sidney Jones (re-signed), Tre Brown(returning to knee surgery) Artie Burns(added in the free agency). Seattle lost D.J. ReedFree agency
