They've said it over and over. Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn want tough football players who are passionate about the game. They want dudes who don't back down.
Fair to say they found one with their fourth-round pick in the draft, defensive end Austin Bryant from Clemson.
Bryant tore his pectoral muscle in a game against Louisville last November, then played through intense pain for the rest of the season. And the injury didn't slow him down. He recorded 23 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in the ensuing six games.
He earned Outstanding Defensive Player honors in Clemson's win over Notre Dame in the national semifinal before the Tigers topped Alabama to claim their second title in the past three years.
Bryant underwent surgery in January, forcing him to miss the combine and likely hurting his stock in the draft. He said he considered surgery immediately after the injury occurred, but his desire to win a national championship in his senior season won out.
"That’s what I wanted to do. If I can walk, I was going to be out on that field with my teammates just because that’s how much I love those guys," he said in a conference call Saturday with local reporters. "I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I knew that I could’ve went out there and played and I didn’t do so.
"I’m very glad I made the decision to play, even though it may have had its consequences. It’s well worth it, and I ended up in the right place."
Bryant confirmed his recovery is going well, and said he expects to be cleared within a few weeks. He'll join a defensive front in Detroit that already features the likes of Trey Flowers, Damon Harrison, Da'Shawn Hand and A'Shaun Robinson.
At Clemson, the 6'4 Bryant made his name as a pass-rusher, posting 18 sacks over his final two seasons. He has the length Matt Patricia covets, though there are concerns about his playing strength.
As for his toughness, there should be no doubt. Same for his hunger to win.
"When you go back and watch him against the the best competition they played the last couple of years, he's really kind of stepped up his game," said Quinn. " And I think he really showed a lot of toughness playing through the injury."
If putting off surgery and missing the combine cost Bryant in the draft, it's a decision he can happily live with.
“Speculation is speculation," he said. "All I know is that I’m happy to be a Detroit Lion. It doesn’t really matter when you get drafted or where. It’s all about what you do when you get there."