Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant is officially headed to the NFL. The Denver Broncos selected him with the 74th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the first Fighting Illini player taken this year.
Bryant, a former team captain, was a key contributor to Illinois’ offense in 2024. His standout moments included a game-winning touchdown against Rutgers and a clutch overtime score versus Nebraska. Over the course of the season, he recorded 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In Denver, he’ll join a roster that features quarterback Bo Nix and veteran receiver Courtland Sutton. His selection makes him the highest-drafted Illinois receiver since A.J. Jenkins, who went in the first round in 2012.
This also marks the second consecutive year that an Illini wide receiver has been drafted. Casey Washington was picked by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round in 2024. The last time Illinois had wide receivers drafted in back-to-back years was in 1983 and 1984.
