Former Gators defensive tackle Taven Bryan is flipping a switch in the NFL

The second-year pro really struggled as a rookie in Jacksonville, but appears to be finding his stride.

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

In a world where instant gratification is rampant, NFL fans typically set expectations way too high for a rookie when they first step onto the field for their pro team.

That mindset plagued Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan in 2018. Of course, Bryan is relevant here because he spent four years with the Florida Gators, starting at 3-technique defensive tackle in 2017 after previously serving as key depth and rotating within Florida's pass rush.

Bryan, 23, played in a similar role as a rookie for Jacksonville, behind the disruptive Malik Jackson, Marcell Dareus, and Calais Campbell. However, as a first-round draft pick, it was important for Bryan to eventually find the field. 

That led to an increase in snaps near the end of the 2018 season, both as a defensive tackle as well as outside as the 5-technique end. Bryan had cross-trained at those positions in training camp and to start the year - however, he had never played 5T in his life prior to Jacksonville.

And that lack of experience was incredibly evident. Bryan struggled mightily in his rookie year, appearing confused as to where he needed to go when he attempted to penetrate the backfield and getting washed out of plays. The Jaguars eventually moved Bryan back to 3T strictly, which provided some improved play, but by then he was clearly lost in plenty of his responsibilities.

To finish his rough rookie campaign, Bryan tallied a total of 20 tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss, two QB hits, and 12 pressures. He accumulated these stats on 301 defensive snaps.

The Jaguars were banking on an emergence from Bryan to replace Jackson heading into the 2019 season, as the team released the veteran to clear cap space. They wanted to see the traits Bryan put on display at Florida, including jaw-dropping get off from his stance at the line of scrimmage and immense physicality to get off blocks.

Now, with a full offseason of getting back to his roots under his belt, Bryan is starting to put it all of those traits and the speed of the NFL together.

#Jaguars DT Taven Bryan with good awareness to cross the alignment and get a pressure to force an incompletion. pic.twitter.com/lzUkCiSW0S

— Jaguars OnSI (@JaguarsOnSI) September 16, 2019

Through three games mainly lined up at tackle, Bryan has recorded five tackles, a sack, five QB hits, and five pressures - on only 57 snaps. Unlike last year, where Bryan was not turning his pressures into contact with the quarterback (two for 12), Bryan has done that on each of his pressures. That's a testament to the growth of the mental side of his game, as he has a better sense of where to move while getting off blocks.

Taven Bryan is playing MUCH better as an interior defensive lineman pic.twitter.com/fUWAPpr8Cu

— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) September 20, 2019

On Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, Bryan enjoyed arguably the best game of his career. He notched a sack, two pressures, and three defensive "stops" on an increased snap count, seeing the field on 22 of 79 defensive snaps. PFF considers a "stop" to be a tackle that "constitutes a 'failure' for the offense". He had 12 "stops" during his entire 2018 season.

Okay Taven Bryan 👀 pic.twitter.com/3jR9arphwv

— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) September 20, 2019

Bryan still has a way to go, and his goal should be to crack the starting lineup by year's end. Currently, Bryan backs up Dareus at 3-technique, but Dareus spent the last two seasons at nose tackle for Jacksonville and only moved over when Jacksonville didn't have much confidence in Bryan.

If Bryan can keep trending in the right direction, he could become the second former Gator to start for Jacksonville this season. Rookie Jawaan Taylor, who the Jaguars selected in the second round this past April, is the team's starting right tackle.

Stay tuned to GatorMaven throughout the year, as we will continue to track the success of former Florida Gators who now play in the NFL.

Stats according to Pro Football Reference and Pro Football Focus.