SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) — There’s a new youthful look to Bryant football this season as the Bulldogs tackle their first year in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).

“50 new faces. We’ve got a new identity to this football team,” said head coach Chris Merritt.

Despite being picked to finish in 15th place in the CAA, the majority of Bryant’s players are not paying attention to the outside noise.

“Right now we’re just worried about ourselves. Because, that’s all smoke and mirrors,” said senior defensive lineman Maximus Villar. “I’ve been with coach Merritt for a long time and that’s something that I believe that he believes in also. It doesn’t matter what other people believe. It only matters about what we believe.”

While others – including quarterback Jarrett Guest, who transferred into the program in January from Coastal Carolina – admitted that they are using it as extra motivation.

“I got it as my screen saver on my phone,” Guest said. “It’s just a good little bit of motivation to practice hard. You want to change the narrative a little bit.”

One this is for certain, with multiple upgrades taking place – with both Bryant’s football facilities as well as with the camps – there’s excitement about the director the Bulldogs program is headed in.

“They’re doing the things that a school needs to do to compete at this level with the CAA. Whether it be the construction here at the stadium or the dorms – Bryant is growing and that’s great to see,” Merritt said.

Bryant kicks off its season on the road next Thursday at Delaware.

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