Jayden Bryant is a talented, 6-foot-4, 210-pound edge rusher of Clover, South Carolina that decided to “stay home” in the Palmetto State and “Ball at the Beach” with the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers on Dec. 20 when he dotted the line for his National Letter of Intent to play football and take classes on a full scholarship. In 2024, Bryant will join second-year head coach Tim Beck’s program, where he will seek to contribute to a consistently strong Chants’ program which just came off another successful season in the FBS, where the former N.C. State offensive coordinator followed 11-1, 11-2, and 9-4 campaigns (2020-2022) under Jamey Chadwell with his own progress, Coastal recording an 8-5 (5-3, Sun Belt) performance capped off with a big, 24-14 Hawaii Bowl win over San Jose State, the Chanticleers hoisting their second-ever bowl championship trophy in Paradise.
Beck, who seeks to continue to build the program for the future now, amassed another addition to Conway for the 2024 cycle with the addition of Bryant, part of a 19-member haul hailing from 10 states. The instate athlete will travel 186 miles from Upstate to Grand Strand in an effort to bring the Chanticleers back to the same glory they reached in Conway under their predecessor before he bolted for Liberty. Here is the take with Palmetto Preps recruiting editor Lee Wardlaw on what the instate athlete could add to the program:
ANALYSIS: Speedy ballhawk that saw significant playing time in 2023 for strong Clover program that finished 9-3 in tough AAAAA (5A) facing competition from Columbia, Spartanburg-Greenville, and Rock Hill.
Violent when pursuing the quarterback from the edge, demonstrating quickness with his long legs. Explosive from the line of scrimmage standing up. Finds way to the quarterback after breaking first line of offensive protection, following through with the play. Finds way to the runner in between the tackles and has good overall nose for the football.
Speed and strength, physical presence, and swim moves. Overall, Bryant is fun to watch, something that can't always be said when analyzing high school film. Has ability to excel both standing up and from both two-point and three-point stance.
Good hand-fighting in the trenches. Light on his feet, with athleticism comparing to tight end or basketball player. Nifty. Tall, lean, muscular build allows great reach when grappling with lineman and attempting to pull down RB or QB in seek of sack or tackle for loss. Hands and length even more valuable for picking up fumbles, where Bryant was a threat to take it to the house in high school.
Needs development, but potential underdog player from strong instate program. Perhaps Coastal took time to do their homework. The Chanticleers have knack for picking up diamond-in-the-rough players in Palmetto State, across the area. Could see playing time at new Division 1 home instate. Can see multiple reasons why Beck and staff picked up local product. Has upside. Also earned offers from competitive North Carolina program Elon, Lenoir-Rhyne of North Carolina, Phoenix who finished strong in Colonial Athletic Association, tough conference in the FCS, Bears, who tallied 13-2 record, advancing the Division 2 national semifinal. Will play alongside aggressive offensive lineman, Jake Buerk, first-team All-State selection and Shrine Bowl standout, of Gaffney, prominent program from Upstate.
