Dorien Bryant is a senior wide receiver for the Purdue Boilermakers. This season, Bryant led the
Boilermakers in all four of the major receiving categories (receptions, yards, touchdowns and yards/game). Coming into Wednesday's Motor City Bowl, Bryant has totaled a whopping 82 receptions, 871 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. Before the Music City match-up against Central Michigan, Bryant took time to answer pre-game questions from Deli writer Joshua Fischman. Bryant discusses Purdue's success, his individual success and Ohio State's chances of winning the BCS National Championship.

Joshua Fischman: What kind of a football team are the 2007 Purdue Boilermakers? What kind of a football program does Purdue have?

Dorien Bryant: We're somewhat of a sporadic team, I guess I'd say. We're good enough to to play with anyone, and have the talent to do so, but sometimes it doesn't always work our way. It was tough losing out the way we did, which is why we are excited about this chance to play again. We're ready to go.

JF: What were your impressions of Central Michigan when you beat them 45-22 earlier in the season?

DB: Well, they are a completely different team now, of course. But even then, they were a hard-nosed team full of pride for their program. That hasn't changed one bit. So we know we'll be getting their best shot this second time around.

JF: Talk about how good (QB) Curtis Painter is and what it's like to catch passes from him.

DB: Curtis is a tremendous talent [who] is gaining confidence in his talents all the time. I've had a great time playing with him and wish him the best of luck next year. He's a super player and a great person. He'll do great things.

JF: Second-team sophomore All-American in 2005, first-team All-Big Ten in 2006, etc. and more to come after the season. What does it mean for you to get recognized for your football success?

DB: It's always a great honor to be recognized individually because it means you are respected by the people who are voting for these things (usually coaches and former players). So, it basically means you're doing something right. You always need your teammates to help pull it off though.

JF: You are a big-time wide receiver and you almost led the Big Ten in kick return yards; what does returning kicks mean to you?

DB: Returning kicks is just an adrenaline rush. I love it because it gives you the chance to improvise and make something happen because it's usually not set in stone where it has to go. It's also just another way I can get the ball in my hands. You always want to touch the ball as much as possible and kick returns give me that chance to make an impact on the game.

JF: How are you looking to end your college football career?

DB: Just having fun. I've had a great time playing college football and I'm excited about this opportunity. I have to play one more game, so I plan on making the best of it.

JF: Any guarantees or bold predictions you want to make?

DB: Guarantees...two teams will play in the Motor City Bowl. Bold predictions...no one will look better than me out there.

JF: Talk about what it's going to be like being away from home for Christmas.

DB: Well, it's never fun being away from the people you love around the holidays. By the same token, your year didn't go as planned if you are home, so...it's kind of a deal where it cancels out your feeling about either, really. I've only been home once for Christmas in four years so I'm okay with not being home if it's for playing football.

JF: You played the Ohio State Buckeyes earlier in the season. What kind of a team are they?

DB: Yeah, they are a very solid team. [They're] really, really tough. They get to the quarterback really quickly, which makes it tough to get into a good rythm. If your running game isn't working out that day, it could be a long, frustrating day.

JF: What do you think about Ohio State's chances of winning the championship?

DB: They have a great chance to win. They are ranked [as] the number one team in the country and, until somebody knocks them out of that spot, [they are] the best. I hope they do win it for the simple fact that people don't respect the Big Ten. Big Ten teams this bowl season need to make a statement and I think they will make the ultimate statement against a very talented LSU team.

JF: Who is your pick for the Heisman, and why?

DB: Well, my pick was Darren McFadden and that's because I think he has been the best player in college football for two years straight now. [Tim] Tebow is very good, too, of course, but wasn't all the talk about why McFadden didn't win last year about him being a sophomore? Either way, it was going to an exceptional player.

JF: How are you going to prepare for the NFL Draft?

DB: By training really hard.

 

Be sure to catch Dorien in his last collegiate game on the day after Christmas (December 26) against Central Michigan. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

If you liked this interview, be sure to catch up with other college football athletes with interviews in our archives.