Tennessee gets Auburn DL Big Kat Bryant transfer

All-SEC defensive end at Auburn in 2020, Bryant, a senior, announced last week that he would transfer and take advantage of the NCAA’s free year of eligibility.

“I decided it was in my best interest to enter the transfer portal to weigh my options for this coming season,” Bryant wrote on Twitter last Sunday. “I’m ready to dominate. Let’s go!”

Your leadership and guidance have brought me to where I am today! Glad to have the opportunity to play on the same pitch again with you @shelton_felton ! Once my coach, always my coach ?? #COMMITED @DansleyAnsley @CoachJPruitt pic.twitter.com/DUi8lLtSW6

– BigKat Bryant (@BigKat) January 17, 2021

A second All-SEC pick, Bryant had three sacks and one interception last season. He ended his career in the Plains with 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and three picks.

Bryant sustained an ankle injury in Auburn’s season opener over Kentucky, then later suffered a minor, undisclosed injury midway through the season. He missed the Arkansas game in week three and played limited shots for the next few weeks.

Once he began to regain his health and confidence, Bryant became a point guard in the second half of the season, which led to his All-SEC nod. He landed an interception in Auburn’s resounding victory over LSU – the fourth remembering point of his career – and registered three sacks in Auburn’s last four games of the season. Bryant coached the quarterback in the final defensive game of the regular season against Mississippi State, just hours after walking across the stage at his graduation ceremony in Auburn.

New Auburn Head Coach Bryan Harsin has officially hired seven of Auburn’s 10 assistant coaches, but has yet to name a defensive line coach. Rodney Garner Has held the position since 2013 and has coached Bryant and Newkirk during their careers at Auburn.