“They were one of the teams that were really interested. That was one of the places that I really wanted to go, to be honest with you. I love Big Ben. He knows how to get the ball down field.” — Martavis Bryant, from his post-draft interview.



From David Hood, TigerNet.com, Clemson Sports Source:

MartavisBryant_051014The Pittsburgh Steelers got the receiver they wanted, and Martavis Bryant got the team he wanted to play for.

The Steelers, in search of a downfield threat that they hope will take pressure off the running game and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, selected Bryant in the fourth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft with the 118th pick.

Bryant, 6-4, 200 pounds, caught 42 passes for 828 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013, averaging 19.7 yards per reception. Two of his three catches in the Orange Bowl victory over Ohio State went for touchdowns.

The Steelers love what they see in Bryant.

“We are delighted to get him,” said Pittsburgh wide receivers coach Richard Mann. We think he has great length. He will be a great weapon in the red zone for us…I’m surprised he lasted that long. He is what we have been hunting for. He and I just talked, and he is delighted to come.”

Bryant said he was out driving when he received the news.

“They called me. I was actually driving in my car when they called,” he said. “I talked to everyone in the organization. My family just started screaming. My mom is very happy and very proud of me. I just want her to be proud of me. It’s a great accomplishment, but we’re not done yet. I’ve still got a lot of work that needs to be done.”

A short time later, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took the time to call his newest receiver.

“It feels good knowing that I have somebody that can get the ball down field to me still,” Bryant said. “He (Roethlisberger) called me earlier and talked to me. He just told me that he was happy to have me out there. He wanted to know when I was coming out there and I told him Monday. He said that he can’t wait to get to work with me. I can’t wait to get to work.”


You can read the full interview here.


Congratulations to ALL of the Steelers Draft selections: Ryan Shazier, Stephen Tuitt, Dri Archer, Martavis, Shaquille Richardson, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Zumwalt, Daniel McCullers, and Rob Blanchflower!