Since coming to State in 2007, redshirt sophomore tight end George Bryan and redshirt sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson have always played together. The chemistry that the two have developed dates back to their freshman season when both players, who were redshirted at the time, played on the scout team and that chemistry has only continued to develop and has evolved into a very lethal combination on the field.

“We built our chemistry on the scout team,” Bryan said. “[Wilson] now understands that if he throws the ball to me, I am always going to catch it and that I am always there if he needs someone to throw the ball to.”

Bryan leads State in passing attacks, having caught a team-high 26 balls for 275 yards and four touchdowns. Bryan also leads all Pack receivers in catches per game, catching the most balls in five out of the six games the team has played this year, leading him to become one of Wilson’s favorite receivers.

“I like to spread the ball out to everybody, but at the same time he is a great player,” Wilson said. “He catches the ball really well, runs great routes, works hard every day at practice, he prepares really well and that is what makes him so great.”

Coach Tom O’Brien believes the success that Bryan has seen this season comes from the matchup he has working inside on linebackers, but also the confidence that Wilson has in him.

“I think he is a good match against linebackers, and that is what we generally have gotten him against,” O’Brien said. “Russell has a lot of confidence in him that he is going to catch the football and quarterbacks like to throw the ball to guys they know are going to catch it.”

However, Bryan credits the work that the wide receivers do on the outside and down the field drawing attention away from him and in turn opening up the middle of the field for him to work.

“Me getting open is not just a credit to me, it is a credit to the other receivers,” Bryan said. “They run routes that pull people off of me, which opens up the middle of the field, where I usually work.”

One of the biggest abilities that Bryan brings to the team is his ability to catch just about anything thrown his way and he quickly acknowledges the work tight end coach Jim Bridge has done with him.

“I had good high school coaches and I have been catching the ball for a while now, ever since I was seven, playing receiver,” Bryan said. “But coach Bridge helped my game a lot on catching the ball and just emphasizing on seeing the ball into your hands and concentrating on catching the ball and getting the yards after you make the catch.”

Bryan played a huge part in the Pack’s turnaround last year, starting six games, including four while State’s starting tight ends, Anthony Hill and redshirt senior Matt Kushner, where out due to injury. Bryan credits both tight ends and Bridge for helping him to prepare for the game and understand his role even with such little experience.

“I was pretty nervous that first start, but coach Bridge, Anthony and Kush all showed me what I needed to do and what needed to be done in order to get the job done,” Bryan said. “I had to step in and try to compete.”

Even after the success Bryan has experienced in his first two years he knows that there is still room for improvement, especially in the blocking aspect. Yet, he believes he has come a long way since he first got to State.

“I came in and I could run the routes and catch the ball but my strength was not exactly where it needed to be when I came here to block the ACC defensive ends,” Bryan said. “Coach Bridge helped my game so much in that aspect and I am now able to block guys and able to dominate and do a good job in blocking. But there is still always room for improvement because sometimes I get beat and I do not like to get beat.”