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Cincinnati defensive back Coby Bryant pens farewell letter

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•01/18/22•

Jonathan Wagner

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James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Coby Bryant is heading to the NFL. Bryant just finished his fifth season with the Bearcats, and he picked up a number of accolades along the way. With his collegiate career now over, Bryant tweeted a message, where he thanked Cincinnati fans for the past five seasons.

“Dear Bearcats Nation, these past five years have been an incredible run – an experience I’ll treasure for a lifetime,” Bryant said. “Thank you for all the love and support. Looking forward to the next chapter God has in store for me. Until then, Mamba out!”

Bryant played alongside shutdown corner Ahmad Gardner in Cincinnati. The two have formed one of the best cornerback duos in all of college football over the past few seasons.

Bryant began his collegiate career as a true freshman in 2017. He played in all 12 games that year, with a big role on special teams. In 2018, Bryant made 12 starts at corner. He also started 14 games in 2019, ten in 2020, and 14 this season.

This year, Bryant totaled 44 tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and one touchdown. In his five years at Cincinnati, Bryant finishes with 165 tackles, 35 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, ten interceptions, and one touchdown.

His strong season ended with Bryant being named a second team AP All-American. Gardner, who will also be leaving after the season, was a first team selection. Bryant was also a first team All-AAC selection in each of the past two years.

Bryant is far from the only player leaving Cincinnati

Cincinnati made an incredible run this season. The Bearcats started 13-0, beating Houston in the AAC Championship. Cincinnati made the College Football Playoff as the fourth and final team in, but fell to Alabama, 27-6 in the CFP semifinal.

If the Bearcats want to make a similar run next season, they will have a lot of work to do. In addition to losing Bryant and Gardner, Cincinnati loses a tremendous amount of other talent on both sides of the ball.

Cincinnati is expected to lose quarterback Desmond Ridder, running back Jerome Ford, wide receiver Alec Pierce, Bryant, Gardner, defensive lineman Myjai Sanders, and many others.