On Monday, September 16th, Loyola alum Myles Bryant '16 was given the honor of Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week following the University of Washington's Saturday, September 14th triumph over the University of Hawaii.
Bryant, a preseason All-Pac-12 player, totaled four sacks, including a sack, and two interceptions in Washington's 52-20 win over the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. When asked about how it felt to be given this honor, Bryant replied, "It felt great to be named Pac-12 defensive player of the week, but I want to see what else I can do [this season.] I don't want to be the defensive player for one week, but for multiple weeks throughout the season."
In his senior year at Loyola, Bryant recorded 68 tackles, which put him on the All-Mission League first-team. Bryant says, "Loyola prepared me from the aspect of [learning] how to manage my time... There were many days where I had to learn how to balance the attention required for those sports as well as the attention towards my school-work."
So far this season, Bryant has 15 tackles and is currently on pace to shatter his current record for tackles in a season, which is currently set at 38. Even with his two-interception game on Saturday, September 14, when asked about his favorite collegiate moment, Bryant responded by saying, "[It] has to be winning two Pac-12 championships." In those championship games, Bryant recorded just one broken-up-pass and no tackles in the Huskies' 2016 championship victory of the Colorado Buffaloes, and three tackles in their 2018 victory over the Utah Utes.
The Huskies lost their week two matchup against the Cal Golden Bears 20-19 on Saturday, September 7. Bryant, with regards to how the team bounces back after a close loss, said, "I think our team just understood what mistakes were made and how we needed to move forward from them. Even though it's early in the season, [we] have to understand that there are tons of games left. I'm looking forward to see how far our team can go; we have lots of talent but many guys are young . . . so I'm excited to see what we all can do."
Below is the link to the video for the Pac-12 Players of the Week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cZJ8VYJ1yg