Kelly Bryant Ken Ruinard / staff, Anderson Independent Mail via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Former Clemson QB lands with XFL team following WWE tryout

By Colum Dell | Last updated 4/3/23

Former Missouri and Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant's professional wrestling career will come to an end before it even gets off the ground.

Last week, Bryant was among 50 current and former college athletes who tried out for WWE through its "Next In Line" name, image and likeness program, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. Other notable participants included a pair of former Baylor Bears, NCAA Tournament champion Mark Vital and track star Morgan Stewart.

There's no word on whether WWE offered Bryant a contract, though it's unlikely he'll sign one soon. On Monday, the XFL announced that the 26-year-old is continuing his football career and has signed with the Arlington Renegades (3-4).

We have placed QB Drew Plitt (knee) and LB Edmond Robinson (hamstring) on the Reserve/Injured List. https://t.co/7NOLW6I5DD
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) April 3, 2023

Bryant last played for the Fan Controlled Football league's Zappers, a team owned by Oakland right-hander Trevor May, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook, Bob Menery, Ronnie Singh and Stephen Deleonardis. The Zappers won the People's Championship last season, with Bryant, who threw for 114 yards and scored four total touchdowns, taking home the game's MVP honors.

Arlington, second in the South Division, has struggled to find an adequate starter and recently made several changes to its QB room. After releasing former starter Kyle Sloter, Arlington acquired Luis Perez from Vegas last week. Bryant's signing was retroactive to placing Drew Plitt, who began the season as the team's starter, on the injured list.

During Clemson's College Football Playoff National Championship-winning season in 2016, Bryant served as Deshaun Watson's backup. Bryant took over as the starter in 2017, leading the Tigers to a 12-2 record throwing for 2,802 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Clemson fell to eventual national champion Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.

In 2018, Bryant began the season as the Tigers' starter before being replaced by now-Jaguar Trevor Lawrence after four games. Lawrence then led Clemson to an undefeated season, and Bryant transferred to Missouri to finish his collegiate career.

Bryant wasn't selected in the 2020 NFL Draft and briefly played in the CFL and Indoor Football League before joining the FCF in 2022.

Although Bryant has struggled to maintain a starting role during his playing career, with a questionable QB situation in Arlington, things might turn around if he gets on the field.

The Renegades will hit the road to take on the Orlando Guardians (1-6) on Saturday.

More must-reads: