Oct. 2, 2003

By Adam Zundell
Maryland Media Relations Staff

He is "The Future."

As a high school sophomore, Lamar Bryant was a basketball player. That was until the football coach pulled him out of class one day and told him to get that body out on the football field. Bryant agreed, and went to the equipment room to get what he needed. There he saw two jerseys with different numbers, which of course would be an indication of where he would be playing.

One jersey had No. 85 printed on it and likely came with a tight end or defensive position attached to it. With it would come touchdown catches or sacks. The other was No. 73, which indicated a position on the offensive line, a position that comes with less glamorous pancake blocks and attention only when a sack was given up.

Bryant snagged No. 73. The equipment manager, impressed that he knowingly chose the jersey that would be soiled in the trenches, told Bryant, "Not too many people would pick up that jersey. I'm going to call you 'The Future' because I think you are going to be something special."

It's amazing what kind of wisdom some equipment managers have. Bryant has been something special for the Terps since he was a redshirt freshman. A starter in 31 games at Maryland, he was entrenched in the starting lineup before a broken foot in the preseason has kept him out of the early portion of this season.

"It's been real tough," Bryant says of missing action. "I miss just being able to line up on game days and going into battle with my teammates; but it gives me a chance to evaluate myself as a player and a leader, and I can see what kind of role I need to take to help the team get better when I get back."

Much like Cal Ripken Jr., Bryant has made more headlines out of the lineup than he did when he was in it as he has been repeatedly mentioned as a missing ingredient for the Terps this season. Such is life for an offensive lineman.

"As an offensive lineman, you know your running back and quarterback are going to get all the publicity, but you know that you're the guy doing the grunt work and that the team doesn't go without you," he says. "I enjoy my job and love what I do. I love seeing my running back downfield. That's my enjoyment."

No glory? No superstar highlights on ESPN? What was he thinking when he picked up No. 73 that day?

"I just love to compete," he says. "I like lining up across a guy and going against him and thinking, 'Who is going to be the better man when the clock runs down?'" That ultra-competitive attitude means Bryant takes on a quarterback-type mentality as a close game draws near the end. Instead of wanting the ball in his hands to make something happen; Bryant just wants a play run to his side of the field.

"I love winning, but I hate being in blowout games," he admits. "I love being in a tight game because it truly shows your ability as a player. When it is a short-yardage situation and we need the yards, I love it. I just want them to run the ball to my side. Every time. When I hear Scotty call the play, I'm like, 'Yes. Let's go.'"

It's obvious that Bryant can't wait to get back in the lineup for the Terps. However, there is much more to Bryant than just running over defensive linemen. Not only did Bryant graduate in four years, but he also loves to sing and hopes to one day perform the national anthem before a Terp game at Byrd Stadium.

For Bryant, being a well-rounded person and not just a football player is all about putting the different aspects of his life into spheres.

"When I am in the classroom, I don't worry about football," he says. "When I am in the weight room, I am focused and dedicated to doing that. As a student-athlete, it's pretty much the essentials: school, practice, meals and sleep.

"Singing has always been something I enjoy, and singing in the church choir kept me out of trouble when I was little. I don't know if Coach Friedgen will let me sing before a game because he's worried about my focus, but I sang last year at the Peach Bowl and I think he was impressed, so my chances might be pretty good."

Yet Bryant is much more than "pretty good." Whether he is conquering the classroom or an opposing lineman, there is no doubting the equipment manager at Crossland High: "The Future" is pretty special.