Bryan Bresee
Bryan Bresee (/brəˈziː/ brə-ZEE; born October 6, 2001) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Early lifeBresee played football at Urbana High School in Frederick, Maryland before transferring to Damascus High School in Damascus, Maryland. In both 2017 and 2019, he helped lead Damascus to state championship victories. Bresee was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and was ranked as the nation's top overall recruit by 247Sports.[1] He committed to Clemson, turning down offers from Penn State, Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.[2] He was named to the All-American Bowl following his senior season.[3] College careerBresee started every game for Clemson as a freshman in 2020, recording 33 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. In the CFP Semi Finals, Bresee performed 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack in the Tigers loss to Ohio State. At the conclusion of his freshman season, he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Rookie of the Year, and an All-ACC first team member.[4] In 2021, Bresee suffered an ACL tear, which cut his season short to only four games, but nevertheless earned All-ACC honors.[5] In 2022, Bresee missed several games due to injury and family matters but once again earned All-ACC honors.[5] Professional career
Bresee was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 29th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.[8] He recorded his first career half sack in the season opener, a 16–15 win over the Tennessee Titans.[9] His first full sack came three weeks later in a 9–26 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[10] As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games in the 2023 season. He finished with 4.5 sacks, 24 total tackles (12 solo), and six passes defended.[11] Bresee spent the 2024 season operating mainly as a starter. In Week 14 against the New York Giants, Bresee blocked a field goal attempt by Graham Gano as regulation expired, giving the Saints a 14–11 victory.[12] NFL career statistics
Regular season
Personal lifeBresee's sister Ella died from brain cancer in 2022 at the age of 15.[13] References
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