By Hale McGranahan.

Kelly Bryant will get every opportunity to show the new offensive brain trust at Clemson that he’s capable of being the backup to Deshaun Watson.

This spring, with Watson sidelined by a torn ACL, Bryant and fellow freshman Tucker Israel will share first-team quarterback reps.

TheClemsonInsider caught up with Bryant last week during Shrine Bowl practice to discuss his immediate future at Clemson.

“It’s really nice knowing that Tucker and I will get a lot of reps,” Bryant said. “We’ll get to come in and compete, and just be able to get in early and get the best possible edge, try to pick up on some things from Deshaun, even though he’s out.

“I’m pretty sure he can teach us and how his freshman experience was. It’ll be real good to get up there early.”

Bryant will enroll at Clemson next month in the range of 207 pounds. He hopes to get that figure up around 220 by the time fall rolls around.

“I just want to compete, just try to learn as much as I can now, try to prepare myself for the upcoming season,” Bryant said.

Already quite familiar with co-offensive coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott, Bryant was able to speak on the phone with new quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter before leaving for the Shrine Bowl.

“He was just talking to me about, giving me his background, where all he’s been at, talking to me about his experience at Clemson and what he’s trying to do…he sounds like a really nice guy and I can’t wait to work with him,” Bryant said.

As a senior at Wren High School, Bryant completed 231 of 368 passes for 3,570 yards with 41 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed 128 times for 720 yards with 14 scores.