He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, earning consensus All-American honors during his sophomore year in 2008.

He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, where he earned three Pro Bowl berths and was named an All-Pro in 2014.

After eight seasons with the Cowboys, Bryant was acquired by the New Orleans Saints in 2018, but suffered a season-ending injury two days after signing with the team.

After a year away from the NFL, Bryant signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, where he was primarily a backup and alternated between the practice squad and the active roster.

Bryant led Lufkin to a 14–1 record, including an appearance in the 5A Division II state semifinals, where they lost 46–28 to Todd Dodge's Southlake Carroll.

[39] After dropping because of character concerns, the Cowboys traded up with the New England Patriots, moving from the 27th to the 24th position to select Bryant.

[45] On July 23, 2010, it was announced that Bryant would wear the #88 jersey, the same as Hall of Famers and Cowboys legends Michael Irvin and Drew Pearson.

[51][52] With that performance, Bryant became the youngest wide receiver in franchise history to total three touchdowns in a single game, breaking Michael Irvin's mark in 1988.

[61][62] Bryant had four receptions for 85 yards in a 24–17 win against the New York Giants in the season opener, which was a rare game played on a Wednesday.

With 32 seconds remaining in the game, Bryant caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Tony Romo to bring the score to 31–29.

Following a failed two-point conversion, Dallas recovered an onside kick to give the offense one last opportunity to win the game.

Kicker Dan Bailey attempted a 51-yard field goal, but it sailed wide left to end the game with a Cowboys' loss.

[66] Throughout September and October, Bryant was being criticized in the media for dropping balls, fumbles and running poor routes, but he started to live up to his potential in a Week 8 game against the New York Giants, when he registered 110 yards on only five catches, and almost came up with a last-minute Hail Mary touchdown, but it was reversed because his hand was ruled out of bounds.

[71] Against the New Orleans Saints in a Week 16 loss, he had the best game of his career to that point, with nine receptions for a career-high 224 yards and two touchdowns.

He tied the franchise record for most consecutive games, with seven, with at least a touchdown reception, which is shared with Franklin Clarke (1961–1962), Bob Hayes (1965–1966), and Terrell Owens (2007).

[74] He tied the franchise record for most consecutive games, with seven, with at least a touchdown reception, which is shared with Franklin Clarke, Bob Hayes, and Terrell Owens.

In addition, he set a franchise record for most games in a single season with multiple receiving touchdowns with four, breaking a mark which was tied with Clarke, Hayes, and Owens.

He injured his finger in early December, opting to play through the injury for the duration of the season, saying that opponents would "have to break my leg to keep me out.

However, over the next six weeks, the offense improved as they won six straight games and Bryant was dominant over the stretch, catching 41 passes for 535 yards and four touchdowns.

[citation needed] Romo missed the following week with an injured transverse process, and the Cowboys were beaten by the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 28–17.

[102] With Romo back for the remaining six games, Dallas began to dominate as Bryant compiled 32 catches for 527 yards and eight touchdowns.

In a Week 12 game in that stretch, Bryant scored a late go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants in the 31–28 victory.

The game was not without controversy; as the Lions were ahead on the scoreboard, 20–17, facing a third-and-1, quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a pass to tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who was seemingly interfered with by Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, and the referees threw a flag and announced a pass interference.

[115] Referees initially ruled Bryant down at the 1-yard line, but overturned this call as an incomplete pass following a challenge from Packers' coach Mike McCarthy.

[117] Dean Blandino, NFL vice president of officiating, also confirmed that the play was correctly reversed by tweeting "Bryant going to the ground.

[123] During Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants in the Cowboys' regular season opener, Bryant left the game with a foot injury.

[126] Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Bryant caught his first touchdown of the season on a day where he totaled five catches for 104 yards in the 33–27 loss.

[134][135] Bryant suffered a hairline fracture in his knee in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, forcing him to miss extended time.

[139] Bryant's most productive performance of the season came in the postseason against the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round, where he recorded nine receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns in a 34–31 defeat.

[143] On November 30, against the Washington Redskins, Bryant passed Bob Hayes for the Cowboys franchise record for receiving touchdowns.