HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Bryant.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
Bryant (6-5 IN 2017)
Northeast (Bryant was T-2nd in 2017)
COACH: James Perry – 2nd Year (6-5)
2017 OFFENSE: 30.3 ppg. (28th in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 34.7 ppg. (109th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: In his first year on the job, James Perry gave Bryant a massive offensive boost. The Bulldogs posted a winning record for the first time since 2014, firmly establishing its team identity around a suddenly explosive offense. Now, in Perry's second year, Bryant can work toward challenging Central Connecticut State as the best team in the NEC. With an impressive roster of upperclassmen defenders, an improved defense is the last piece of the puzzle that Bryant needs to win the NEC and seize on a playoff bid.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Close the gap with Central Connecticut State. CCSU already brings back the most starters in a conference where it went undefeated last season, so the Blue Devils seem like a safe choice to win the conference again. Bryant will get CCSU in Smithfield, so a little home magic is always possible. Still, the realistic ceiling here for the Bulldogs feels more like one best measured by developmental progress, not trophies. At the end of last season, Bryant was improved, but there was still clear separation between CCSU and the rest of the conference. This year, Bryant could close the distance, then challenge for the title in 2019.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: LB Thomas Costigan (2017 NEC Defensive Player of the Year)
THE NEXT FIVE: DL Dillon Guthro (First-Team All-NEC); DB Andre Brackett (NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year); WR/KR Jean Constant (989 Return Yards, 2 Return TDs, 48 Catches, 549 Receiving Yards); QB Price Wilson (Set School Records for Single-Season Passing Yards and Single-Season Total Offense); DL Kevin Lazo (41 Tackles, 5.5 TFL, 4 Blocks)
TOP NEWCOMER: LB Jack McNeil (USA Today First-Team All-USA Massachusetts).
DID YOU KNOW?: Last month, Bryant won the 2018 Men's Division III Ultimate Frisbee Championship.
THE QUOTE: "We are excited about this early signing period and the terrific players that we are adding to the mix. We feel that we have some of the best student-athletes in the country coming to play for us, and this group reflects exactly what we are working towards in becoming the best program in the FCS." -Head Coach James Perry on the December portion of Bryant's newest recruiting class.
Great day at @BryantUFootball. As a HS Football Coach and proud alum it was amazing to see the growth of the program & facility. Special thanks to @BryantHCPerry & @Coach_Bunk for all their hospitality. #GoBulldogs pic.twitter.com/QOVq2XJfpd
— Coach Spags (@Joespags12) June 17, 2018
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MEET THE NEW NEIGHBORS: Idaho Returns to FCS as Newest Big Sky Member
