{"id":251311,"date":"2021-05-17T05:31:33","date_gmt":"2021-05-17T02:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/juantarius-bryant-falls-victim-to-nfl-falcons-tryout-hoax\/"},"modified":"2021-05-17T05:31:33","modified_gmt":"2021-05-17T02:31:33","slug":"juantarius-bryant-falls-victim-to-nfl-falcons-tryout-hoax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/juantarius-bryant-falls-victim-to-nfl-falcons-tryout-hoax\/","title":{"rendered":"#Juantarius Bryant falls victim to NFL, Falcons tryout hoax"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Juantarius Bryant falls victim to NFL, Falcons tryout hoax<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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A day after the NFL draft concluded earlier this month, former Austin Peay defensive standout Juantarius Bryant received a text message he thought would change his life forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen [Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees] told me they have a spot for me at the rookie minicamp, my heart just started racing,\u201d Bryant, who went undrafted in 2020, told the Tennessee-based university student newspaper at the time<\/a>. \u201cIt made me start thinking \u2018hard work really does pay off.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

But when Bryant arrived at the rookie camp last week, the defensive back was turned away.<\/p>\n

It was only then Bryant realized he was duped by someone with an Atlanta area code posing as the Falcons\u2019 assistant.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s most definitely one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happ<\/a>ened to me and a very humbling experience,\u201d Bryant said in a statement <\/a>posted Saturday to Twitter<\/a>, adding that he apologized to the Falcons for the mixup.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a rough few days. \u2026 I do not know or understand why this has happened, but I do know that everything happens for a reason,\u201d Bryant said.<\/p>\n

Bryant\u2019s agent, Corey Alexander, said he talked with the Falcons and that \u201call parties involved are frustrated but [Bryant] will get his opportunity soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Atlanta
It\u2019s unclear who posed as Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees.<\/figcaption>
Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Nashville, Tenn. native, Bryant walked on the Austin Peay football team in 2015 and helped turn around the program. He earned a scholarship before his redshirt junior season and was voted a captain his senior year. Bryant was named to the first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference his final season after making 108 tackles for the 11-4 Governors.<\/p>\n

But his professional prospects took a hit last spring when the program\u2019s pro day, used to showcase potential draft picks to NFL teams, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

He spent this past year training in hopes of earning an NFL offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, this was heartbreaking for me,\u201d Bryant said of the tryout hoax. \u201cBut just another stepping stone that I am not afraid to admit or overcome.\u201d\n <\/p><\/div>\n