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Journalists Welcome Kelly Bryant To His First SEC Media Day

Former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant was part of the Mizzou reps for SEC Media Days. He touches on his transfer from Clemson and why he chose Mizzou

HOOVER, Ala. — Kelly Bryant smiled a lot during his very first SEC Media Day experience. But it wasn't that long ago where he was trying to decide where he would play his final year of college football.

The former Clemson quarterback is now the presumptive starter for the Mizzou Tigers. He also is on the Maxwell Award watchlist which goes to the top player in college football.

The term trailblazer was used once or twice to describe Kelly's transfer process. He was one of the first players to take advantage of the new transfer rule and transfer portal. After playing four games for the eventual national champions he put in his paperwork to seek another school. He says that decision was one of the hardest he's had to ever make but it was necessary.

“It's life. That's how I look back on it. It was tough in the moment but I can't I’m thank Clemson enough for the opportunity they gave me to play there giving. Be a kid from South Carolina a chance to play for his home state team and it helped shaped me into who I am today," Kelly said.

Kelly went on to say,"At the end of the day I can look back on it, still smiling, I feel like great spiritually, mentally and physically so I'm just anxious to get things going."

Barry Odom is entering his fourth year as head coach and mentioned that Kelly is a good fit in the program and the locker room. Coach Odom also feels he can excel on the field.

"The things he was able to take and really progress throughout Spring practice-I was impressed with that.  But more than anything was his mental approach to trying to get better, trying to understand and  understand the reasons why the play call was made, the situational part of football and why that is. He' a great student. He understands and has learned really really quick."

Now this transfer hasn't gone the way everyone thought it would.

Mizzou was hit with sanctions this year for academic misconduct and will be banned from postseason play in football, baseball and softball.

Kelly said that was a big blow to the program but he still wanted to stay and no graduating seniors on the roster decided to transfer once the sanctions came down.

The Calhoun Falls, SC native sees Mizzou as an opportunity to improve his draft stock as he works with offensive coordinator Derek Dooley who has coached a few years in the NFL.

“Well, the pitch for me coming to Missouri, he saw what I did at Clemson. He loved the things he saw from a passing standpoint and also what I can do with my legs, because I can make plays with my legs and I am able to extend plays. Being where he was with the (Dallas) Cowboys, seeing Dak (Prescott), seeing Tony (Romo), having that experience with them and the Cowboys offense, and bringing it to Missouri, being able to put yourself in the position where he’s going to make plays for you where you’re comfortable," Kelly said. "He is not going to call anything where he is comfortable and the quarterback is not comfortable. He is going to cater to you, and just knowing that, I have that in my pocket where I can go into a meeting and say “I like this” or “I don’t like this, so let’s do this”, and he is going to cater to you. That’s just been one of the biggest things that I like about playing for him so far.”

But Kelly says he still has love for Clemson. He talks to his old teammates almost everyday and is still in some group chats. He mentioned a few teammates and roommates came out to Mizzou for his Spring game as well.

"It's just the relationship we built off the game of football. That's just how we've always been-like family and it's true. The connection and relationship is strong even until this day no matter where we are."

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