Take a quick glance at Radford's baseball roster and you'll notice an entirely new crop of names. The staff ace Greg Duncan? Graduated. The all-conference catcher Straton Podaras? Graduated, and signed by the Los Angeles Angels. The rangy, reliable centerfielder Garrett Matheny? He's gone, too.

But the shortstop? Still the same.

David Bryant is Radford's lone returning starter in 2022, providing a smidgeon of familiarity for a program that nearly turns over the entirety of its roster from a season ago. Indeed, the Highlanders have to replace 85% of their at-bats and 74% of their innings pitched after saying goodbye to one of the deeper and more talented senior classes in school history.

But there may be no player more fit to lead the way forward than Bryant, who in 111 games in a Highlander uniform owns a career .303 batting average with 84 runs scored and 65 RBI. His breakout junior campaign — in which he led the team hitting .364 with seven home runs and 37 RBI — earned him Second Team All-Big South honors. He was a starter from the moment he set foot on campus, but was not without trials and tribulations along the way.

"I was blessed by having great older guys around me who led me to do the right thing," Bryant said of his success as a young player. "They taught me how to move on from high school to college because it's a big jump. I obviously struggled that year because it's not easy. Those older guys put me under their wing and led me to do what I did freshman year."

A native of Johnson City, Tenn., Bryant caught the attention of several college programs by playing with his travel team. He attended a camp at the University of Virginia, though little did he know that then-Cavaliers pitching coach Karl Kuhn would become his head coach at Radford.

"It's a small world," Bryant added. "I had a team camp here at Radford, and one of my assistant coaches played here at Radford. It was just an instant connection. I fell in love with the school — not too small, not too big, and it's just two hours away from home."

Bryant credits Colby Higgerson, a First Team All-State selection who played for Radford from 2016 to 2020, for helping guide him through the college transition.

"Colby helped me develop some things that I was weak at," Bryant recalled. "He taught me a lot of things about Radford. He taught me everything I've learned so far."

He also sought advice from J.D. Mundy and Spencer Horwitz — the former a current first baseman in the Baltimore Orioles organization, and the latter a 2019 draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I like listening to the dudes who rake," Bryant said with a laugh. "That way I can hear what they have to say about their approach, because not everyone's approach is the same."

Bryant was recruited by the previous staff under head coach Joe Raccuia, who led the program to two Big South Tournament championships in his 11 years at the helm of Radford baseball. He resigned following the 2019 season, and Kuhn was tabbed as his successor. While coaching changes send many players packing, the Highlanders' shortstop knew he wasn't leaving.

"I like Radford in general," Bryant said. "I heard nothing but great things about Coach Kuhn. I asked my former coaches from travel ball who knew him and they said, 'You got a great one.' So I stuck with it and trusted him."

Being a Division I student-athlete entails many challenges. You wake up bright and early in the morning and go to class. You go to practice and lift weights. You eat a regimented lunch and dinner, packed with proper nutrition. You get extra work in the batting cage. Then you go to sleep, and do it all over again. It's not a lifestyle suited for everyone, but Bryant — who said he loves staying busy — wouldn't have it any other way.

"I'd say it's a grind, honestly. But I don't know any better. I do get worn down sometimes, but you're so used to it. I have no idea what I'd do if I had as much free time as someone who doesn't play."

Off the field, Bryant has been focusing on his academics. He gets his schoolwork done two weeks ahead whenever possible so that he doesn't fall behind. That helps him do better on the field as well.

As far as his progression as a player, Bryant saw a tremendous power surge as a junior, hitting seven home runs after hitting just one longball his first two years combined. No good hitter will ever step up to the plate trying to hit a homer — that's a recipe for failure. Rather, the power numbers come from improved strength and plate discipline, which are skills accumulated over time.

"I'd say just getting stronger every year," Bryant said of his improvement. "I'd just caught the ball out front better last year. I was seeing it better, and I wasn't swinging at bad pitches."

As Bryant's time in the New River City comes to a close, he's thought a little about his next step. The ultimate goal is to play professionally, but if that doesn't work out, he's content to find another job that he enjoys and begin the next stage of his life.

Bryant reflected fondly on his development as a team leader since he joined Radford as a wide-eyed freshman back in 2019.

"I would compare my freshman-year self as a mute," Bryant recalled. "Not talking a lot. Kind of sitting back and watching. I'm grateful for meeting friends, coaches, and other people that play other sports who have helped me these past four years."

Bryant echoes a refrain heard from so many athletes: the people are what make baseball memorable.

"Over the years, I've met people that will be in my life forever. I have enjoyed my time here at Radford and I'm ready to get going this last year."