SIGNING: C.B. Aycock's Bryant signs with St. Andrews

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on April 8, 2017 11:19 PM

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bcoley@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- It's not easy to move an object that's nearly 6-1/2 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds.

Now imagine that object pushing you back with all its strength, and ultimately hoping to drive you into the ground. That's the pure agony every defensive linemen went through when matching up with Charles B. Aycock offensive lineman Elijah Bryant last fall.

Next year, he will travel two hours down the road and bring that brutal strength to St. Andrews University.

"(St. Andrews) is a tight-knit kind of community," said Bryant, who plants to minor in business. "You get to know everybody instead of it being this huge campus."

Bryant spent most of his time at right and left tackle, and is the fourth Golden Falcon offensive linemen to sign a national letter-of-intent. Twins Zack and Sam Mott are headed to Guilford College, while Randy Floars is headed to Wingate University.

Damien Darden -- who played tight end -- signed with N.C. State.

Golden Falcons' head coach Steve Brooks said if the team needed two or three yards, he could count on running behind Bryant.

"He took coaching as good as anybody I've ever seen," Brooks said. "He really wanted to perfect his craft. He knew if he was playing on the left side, he was protecting Jake's (Flowers) back side, and when he played on the front side, he knew we were going to heavy run behind him."

That offensive line group protected a 2,000-yard passer in quarterback Jake Flowers and opened holes for a 1,700-yard rusher in Caleb Gough. The team also averaged 42 points per game.

Bryant, Zack Mott and Floars each earned All-Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference first-team honors this past season. Bryant said the chemistry among the offensive line contributed to the success.

"Just how close we are," Bryant said. "And how we can take criticism from each other. And build up on each other and correct each other when we make mistakes instead of fighting. I think the family aspect helped out a lot."

None of the other linemen quite matched the massive size Bryant brought to Hardy Talton Stadium each week.

The senior benches 340 pounds, squats 450, deadlifts 500 and hang cleans 270. Those numbers are only going to grow larger when he enrolls at St. Andrews.

"(The coaches) said they like my size," Bryant said. "They said after watching my highlights, they really liked what I could do, and they were really excited for me to come up there."

But don't get it twisted. In his time at CBA, Bryant has proven he is more than just a big body. He played basketball, and throws shot put and discus for track and field.

Each of those sports has given him skills that translate to the gridiron.

"Basketball helped me with my footwork and speed and agility," Bryant said. "That was the main point of me playing basketball. Track and field helps me with strength because a lot of times in practice the whole day is dedicated to the weight room."

Bryant showcased that athleticism on his senior day against Eastern Wayne. The Golden Falcons called a trick play, and Bryant received a pass in the end zone.

Even though a penalty neutralized the score, it still stands as one of Bryant's most cherished memories from his senior year.

"Me and coach had been joking all season that he was going to pass me the ball," Bryant said with a chuckle. "And it actually happened."

Bryant said that whenever he had a tough day, he knew he could relieve stress by dishing out collisions in practice. That physical aspect is what he enjoys the most.

He will be living out a dream by getting to pound his pads against someone for four more years. It's probably more of a nightmare for his opponents.

"I feel like in the trenches is where most of football takes place," Bryant said. "And you being down there with four of your brothers going to war against somebody. It's always been fun for me."