John Milledge product Harrison Bryant shines in NFL Draft spotlight
They will find you.
Harrison Bryant was assured of that early Saturday afternoon. He heard his name called during the fourth round of the NFL Draft as a new member of the Cleveland Browns. His career began at John Milledge Academy, a Georgia Independent School Association program, and continued on the nation’s magnified sports stage.
“I can’t say enough about how proud I am for Harrison and his family,” John Milledge Academy coach JT Wall said in a text message to The Telegraph. “He’s a living, breathing example that hard work pays off. He will be a great pro for a long time.”
Bryant was once probably known as the kid from Gray, the small town with a population 3,276 and 14 miles from the heart of Macon. It escalated while at Florida Atlantic, where he starred as the Owls’ tight end after moving to the position from offensive tackle as a high-school senior.
His position card read “tight end,” but his numbers mimicked that of a star receiver. He totaled 1,004 yards (more than any wide receiver at Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern or Mercer this past season) and seven touchdowns. Bryant won the prestigious John Mackey Award in 2019 as the nation’s best tight end, then saw it pay off with a contract.
He proved it, too, against the toughest Division I competition with 79 yards against Ohio State. The Buckeyes had 10 of their players selected in the draft.
Bryant was one of three Middle Georgia natives to be chosen in the NFL draft, along with Houston County’s Jake Fromm and Stratford Academy’s Quintez Cephus.
“I feel like I can bring a lot of versatility,” Bryant said to reporters Saturday, according to a release by the Browns. “... It’s going to be a really cool situation and I’m ready to work.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS FROM MIDDLE GEORGIA
Former Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway, Warner Robins, New Orleans Saints
Former Georgia defensive back Tyrique McGhee, Peach County, Los Angeles Rams