His time was coming, and Austin Bryant knew it. Next in line at defensive end at Clemson, Bryant had the opportunity to add his name to the growing list of standouts at the position.
Then his foot twisted the wrong way during a practice last August. Bryant would miss six games and never regained his starting job as Christian Wilkins successfully shifted from tackle to end. Bryant was fine with that, saying he was not quite the same when he returned because he lost strength in his lower body.
Bryant ended up playing over 200 snaps, including a key stretch against Alabama in the national championship game.