Kansas football cornerback Cobee Bryant has goals for 2023 after an impressive 2022

LAWRENCE — Given how the 2022 season unfolded, there was a thought in the back of Jordan Peterson’s mind.
Kansas football cornerback Cobee Bryant broke onto the scene that year. He became an All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection, according to the league’s head coaches. Heading into the following year, Bryant could either be content with what he’s accomplished or attack 2023 with the same hunger he’d attacked his first two at the college level.
But Peterson, the Jayhawks’ defensive backs coach, noted as the team proceeds through fall camp that Bryant hasn’t been a problem in that regard. Peterson said Bryant has been proactive when it’s come to opportunities to improve, like learning how to be more efficient while watching film. And considering the media voted Bryant as a preseason All-Big 12 player this year, high expectations remain for his junior year.
“(Bryant)’s taking more notes than ever,” said Peterson, who’s also the defensive pass game coordinator for Kansas. “He’s practicing harder than ever. He’s leading the group, as far as being able to be more — a little bit more vocal than what he is typically.”
However many doubters remain, Cobee Bryant wants to prove them wrong
Bryant described what he accomplished in 2022 as shocking the world. But to whatever extent that might be true, he still feels as if there are people out there who doubt him. So, from his perspective, 2023 is another opportunity to shock the world again.
When Bryant talks about expecting more out of himself this season, that’s what he means. But explaining himself further, he doesn’t point to stats. No, Bryant, who led Kansas in interceptions last season, mentions being more of a leader among the Jayhawks’ defensive backs and his teammates in general.
That’s Bryant understanding what Kansas needs from him as it attempts to take the next step in head coach Lance Leipold’s rebuild, while not losing the humble quality that makes him one of the affable members of its roster. Redshirt senior cornerback Kalon Gervin mentioned that he and his fellow leaders are there to make sure Bryant remains humble, given the level of player Bryant is and the potential that still remains for Bryant. But, Gervin noted, Bryant is already humble.
“I’m a very humble person, because, like, my background,” Bryant said. “I’m a very humble person, and I try to maintain because I know people can get out of their comfort zones sometimes. So, I stay focused and I know big things come my way because I know God on my side.”
Cobee Bryant has already noticed ways he’s stepped up as a leader
Peterson is looking for Bryant to become a more complete player. That means being more than someone who makes big plays, such as the interception returned for a touchdown in overtime last season that delivered a win against West Virginia, and impresses in man coverage. That means understanding the bigger picture of their coverage concepts, so Bryant can constantly make the right decision on when to be aggressive and when to be more conservative.
But like Bryant said, he’s also trying to become more of a leader. He’s caught himself doing things he wouldn’t have last year, or even the year prior to that. And just as he expects his teammates to listen to him, he is committed to listen to them.
“I’m comfortable with talking more, because I’ve seen a lot,” Bryant said. “I’ve been here, like, three years. This is my third year now. So, I feel comfortable, like, just talking around my whole defense because they know. They believe in me.”