Born and raised in Jasper, Texas, Bryant graduated from Jasper High School in 2003. where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track. In football, he was named the District Defensive Player of the Year as well as the Southeast Texas Defensive Player of the Year by The Beaumont Enterprise as a sophomore. As a junior, he made 94 tackles and forced 10 sacks. In his senior year, he earned District and Golden Triangle Defensive MVP honors. He was also selected to the first-team Division 3A All-state team by the Texas Sports Writers Association, and was a finalist for the Willie Ray Smith Award, which is presented to the top offensive and defensive players in Southeast Texas.

When it came to college recruiting, Rivals.com gave him a 3-star rating and ranked him No. 83 out of all the Texas players in his 2003 recruiting class. He was recruited for college play by Texas A&M, Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Texas. He chose to sign with Texas A&M to play for head coach Dennis Franchione.

In his first season at Texas A&M in 2003, though Bryant was redshirted, he was named a team captain. In his freshman season, he became a defensive tackle and started in all games. He earned All-American and All-Big 12 honors from The Gridiron Report after making 34 tackles (3.5 of which led to a loss of nine yards), two deflected passes, and a blocked kick. In 33 defensive plays against the option, he was able to hold the opposing team down to 1.85 yards per carry.

In December 2007, Bryant graduated from Texas A&M, receiving a degree in agricultural leadership and development. He believes that this was his greatest and most fulfilling achievement. He is also the first college graduate in his immediate family. He also overcame dyslexia.

After completing his senior season play, Bryant participated in the 2008 Senior Bowl, playing for the South team. At one of the practices prior to the game, he got into a fight with teammate Chris Williams, causing the coaches to break it up. In the game, he recovered one fumble made by quarterback John David Booty. The South team won the game 17–16.

He sprained his ankle in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 2, 2008.

In his rookie season, he recorded 8 total tackles, and was inactive for 12 games. In the 2009 season, he compiled 8 more tackles and was inactive for 10 games. During the 2010 offseason, he was moved to defensive end by head coach Pete Carroll. In 2010, Bryant was injured during a week 8 contest against the Oakland Raiders in the 1st half of the game. After the game, Bryant was placed on Injured Reserve for the remainder of the season.

On February 29, 2009, Bryant married Janelle Green, who is the daughter of former Texas A&M and Seattle Seahawks player Jacob Green. Janelle played for the Texas A&M soccer team from 2002–05.

In the 2011 season, he blocked four kicks, breaking the franchise single-season record. In week 15 against the Chicago Bears, Bryant had an interception returned for a touchdown after an attempt by Caleb Hanie of the Bears to get the ball away after being pressured. Just before the Seahawks last home game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, December 24 began, Bryant was presented with the club’s Steve Largent Award. The Steve Largent Award is given by the Seahawks annually to the team contributor(s) best exemplifying the spirit, dedication, and integrity of former Seahawk wide receiver Steve Largent.

On March 13, 2012, the Seahawks re-signed Bryant to a five-year, $35 million deal with $14.5 million in guaranteed money. In 2012, he started all 16 games making 24 tackles and 3 passes defended. On December 23, in the Seahawks’ 42-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers, Bryant blocked a 21-yard field goal attempt by the 49ers’ David Akers, and the Seahawks’ Richard Sherman returned the blocked kick 90 yards for a touchdown.

Prior to the 2013 season, Bryant adjusted his diet and sleeping habit to become a better player. Bryant was the defensive team captain during the 2012-13 seasons. In 2013, Bryant recorded 1.5 sacks on 34 combines tackles and a pass defended. His efforts helped the Seahawks into Super Bowl XLVIII where their #1 NFL-ranked defense defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 for their first franchise championship.

Rumors had been circulating for over a week that the Seahawks would release Bryant, and on February 28, 2014, the Seahawks officially announced his release along with wide receiver Sidney Rice. Both moves have cleared more than $12 million in cap space for the upcoming season.

On March 8, 2014, Bryant signed a four-year, $17 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, uniting him with his former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Starting all 16 games in 2014, he made 23 tackles with 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. On March 12, 2015, he was released by the Jaguars.

Bryant signed with the Buffalo Bills in August 2015 and was released in September 5, 2015.

On November 26, 2015, Bryant signed with the Arizona Cardinals. In six games of 2015, he made five tackles. On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Cardinals as part of the final roster cuts.