CHAMPAIGN — In the short term, Pat Bryant was an impediment to Malik Elzy. As an upperclassman, Bryant was so good that Elzy — the highest-rated prep prospect to sign with Illinois under Bret Bielema so far — struggled to earn significant reps.
But Bryant, a 2024 AP All-Big Ten First Team selection and a 2025 third-round NFL Draft pick, also provided Elzy with the perfect model of how to get to his long-term goals. How to approach the craft, how to prepare his body, how to study the game, how to overcome setbacks and how to ultimately translate it all to the type of success that creates a path to the NFL.
"Just having a routine. Take it day by day. That's all you can do, man. Just have faith and work hard. Be that dog. Show you're a dog and go be a dog. That's what I really learned from Pat," Elzy said. "Just keep your head down and keep rolling."
Bryant, whom Elzy watched haul in 97 receptions for 1,544 yards and 17 touchdowns during the last two seasons, is now competing for significant playing time with the Denver Broncos, but his example is still impressing on Elzy. Bryant even returned to Chicago to be a special guest at Elzy's first youth football camp at Simeon High School in July, which Elzy said he held to make his own positive impression on kids on the south side of Chicago.
With Bryant gone, it's now Elzy's time to step into the role he expected from the start of his career: a chance to be a go-to target in the Illini passing game.
It hasn't come as quickly or as easily as Elzy expected. The former four-star prospect has a modest nine career receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown in just 215 offensive snaps in his first two college seasons.
But that wait has forced Elzy to work harder and shift his mindset more from the big picture to the day-to-day progress. And the wait has seemingly made him more ready and hungrier for his biggest opportunity yet.