University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers Q&A: Joey Bryant
Dec 23, 2019 | Football
Senior defensive back has nine solo stops, one forced fumble in 2019.
NOTE: This Tigers Q&A feature on Joey Bryant first appeared in the Memphis GameDay program Oct. 19 when the Tigers hosted Tulane.
Q: Why did you take a break from football after high school?
A: The reason for the break was really because of my size coming out of high school. I was only 5-6, maybe 5-7. I wasn't very highly recruited. I didn't get a lot of playing time in high school. I went to a high school that had a lot of good players (Marcus Mariota), a lot of good Hawai'i guys. I got put in the back because of my size, and I got lost behind good players. I didn't get to showcase my abilities in high school.
Q: What did you do after high school when you weren't playing football?
A: I went a trade school because I wasn't recruited. It wasn't full-time. I just took one class, a Hawaiian studies class. I was trying to figure out my life and what to do next. Then I worked as a bartender at a good restaurant and started making money.
Q: What changed your mind?
A: After high school, I grew four or five inches to what I am now, just over six feet. I also had a friend that went to junior college, and I saw that he got a scholarship. I decided to follow him and go for it.
Q: How old were you when you first stepped on the field as a college football player?
A: 22, I believe.
Q: How old are you now?
A: 27. A little late start, but you have to start somewhere.
Q: Do you think having a few years on some of your teammates has helped you?
A: I think it helped me in the sense that I have no time to mess around, play around in college. It's not in me. I'm here for a reason. College life isn't me. I'm here to live my dream and try and make something of it. That's what I have gotten out of it. Being older, your time is limited, very limited.
Q: What do you plan on doing after this?
A: Hopefully get a shot to play after this, but if not, I'll try and use my degree and find a job. My major is interdisciplinary studies. I'm studying physical wellness and communication.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
A: Definitely my grandparents. They provided for me. This is basically me finding a way to give back and help my grandparents in Hawai'i. I didn't know my father and my mother passed away. My grandparents really raised me my whole life, and I wouldn't be here without them.
Q: Talk about your time at Arizona State and how you got to Memphis?
A: Coach (TJ) Rushing was my corners coach at Arizona State. I played a year there with him and then I got injured. They brought a new coach in when he (Rushing) left for Memphis. When my time was done at Arizona State, I reached out to Coach Rushing.
Q: What does someone like Coach Rushing do for you?
A: Coach Rushing gave me my chance at Arizona State because I originally went to school on a track and field scholarship. I was a track and field athlete at Arizona State. I did the high jump, long jump and triple jump (Note: jumped 7-2 in the high jump!). I wanted to take my chances and walk-on in the Pac-12. He was willing to give me a chance. We built a solid relationship.
Q: Do you see yourself as a mentor?
A: I try to be if I see something. I'm not really a 'chase-them-down-kind-of-guy,' but if they ask me, I have some advice for them. They are young men, so they can be a little stubborn. But if I can help show them the way, then I will.
Q: What's your drive?
A: All of this is for my family. I'm trying to give back somehow. My grandparents always did whatever they had to do for me to have a good life. I'm just trying to make it better for them.
Q: Why did you take a break from football after high school?
A: The reason for the break was really because of my size coming out of high school. I was only 5-6, maybe 5-7. I wasn't very highly recruited. I didn't get a lot of playing time in high school. I went to a high school that had a lot of good players (Marcus Mariota), a lot of good Hawai'i guys. I got put in the back because of my size, and I got lost behind good players. I didn't get to showcase my abilities in high school.
Q: What did you do after high school when you weren't playing football?
A: I went a trade school because I wasn't recruited. It wasn't full-time. I just took one class, a Hawaiian studies class. I was trying to figure out my life and what to do next. Then I worked as a bartender at a good restaurant and started making money.
Q: What changed your mind?
A: After high school, I grew four or five inches to what I am now, just over six feet. I also had a friend that went to junior college, and I saw that he got a scholarship. I decided to follow him and go for it.
Q: How old were you when you first stepped on the field as a college football player?
A: 22, I believe.
Q: How old are you now?
A: 27. A little late start, but you have to start somewhere.
Q: Do you think having a few years on some of your teammates has helped you?
A: I think it helped me in the sense that I have no time to mess around, play around in college. It's not in me. I'm here for a reason. College life isn't me. I'm here to live my dream and try and make something of it. That's what I have gotten out of it. Being older, your time is limited, very limited.
Q: What do you plan on doing after this?
A: Hopefully get a shot to play after this, but if not, I'll try and use my degree and find a job. My major is interdisciplinary studies. I'm studying physical wellness and communication.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
A: Definitely my grandparents. They provided for me. This is basically me finding a way to give back and help my grandparents in Hawai'i. I didn't know my father and my mother passed away. My grandparents really raised me my whole life, and I wouldn't be here without them.
Q: Talk about your time at Arizona State and how you got to Memphis?
A: Coach (TJ) Rushing was my corners coach at Arizona State. I played a year there with him and then I got injured. They brought a new coach in when he (Rushing) left for Memphis. When my time was done at Arizona State, I reached out to Coach Rushing.
Q: What does someone like Coach Rushing do for you?
A: Coach Rushing gave me my chance at Arizona State because I originally went to school on a track and field scholarship. I was a track and field athlete at Arizona State. I did the high jump, long jump and triple jump (Note: jumped 7-2 in the high jump!). I wanted to take my chances and walk-on in the Pac-12. He was willing to give me a chance. We built a solid relationship.
Q: Do you see yourself as a mentor?
A: I try to be if I see something. I'm not really a 'chase-them-down-kind-of-guy,' but if they ask me, I have some advice for them. They are young men, so they can be a little stubborn. But if I can help show them the way, then I will.
Q: What's your drive?
A: All of this is for my family. I'm trying to give back somehow. My grandparents always did whatever they had to do for me to have a good life. I'm just trying to make it better for them.
Players Mentioned
DB
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