A rival’s legacy top-100 recruit from the 2019 class, former Oklahoma wide receiver Trejan Bridges, joined Oklahoma along with star-studded names like Spencer Rattler and Jadon Haselwood. Though limited in his first season, Bridges began to have some impact and garnered 82 yards and two touchdowns, as Lincoln Riley found it hard to fit the 6’1″ and 180 lbs WR in his system. Playing as a nickel was pondered, but that promise didn’t come true after Bridges’ career was marred by a series of off-field legal troubles. Now, 6 years hence, Bridges is starting a new chapter in his life after getting his eligibility waiver denied by the NCAA twice.

“That was something that was brought up by him, something to take a look at and kind of go from there. Verdict’s still out. Obviously, he’s a quality player, quality kid. He’ll ultimately be a high-level player at Oklahoma in one capacity or another,” said then-Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator Alex Grinch on changing Bridges’ position to nickel. It was an idea at the time, which could have benefited both parties. But after his freshman season, Bridges, along with his teammate Seth McGowan, were arrested in Norman and had to sit out the whole 2021 season pending the NCAA’s investigation. Trejan Bridges did try to get a waiver for that year but was denied, and now, he embarks on the pro ball arena.

“Former Oklahoma and Central Arkansas WR Trejan Bridges had both of his eligibility waivers denied and will now be working out for NFL teams, a source tells @On3sports. He had 53 catches for 748 yards and 6 TDs in 2024. Was in contact with Florida State + OU while in the portal,” reported On3’s Pete Nakos on X. After the 2020 season, Trejans was then suspended in April 2021 after allegedly getting involved in another legal incident of armed robbery.

“Bridges and McGowan were identified by Norman police last week as suspects in an alleged armed robbery committed on April 15. Police searched Bridges’ Norman apartment the following day. And recovered a Glock .45-caliber handgun, loaded magazines, drug paraphernalia,” reported Jason Kersey of The Athletic. Getting dismissed from Oklahoma, Bridges tried to enter the transfer portal and transferred to East Los Angeles, a JUCO, to regain eligibility after the NCAA denied his request in 2021 for “immediate play” after his suspension, since the 2020 suspension, according to the NCAA, counted towards his eligibility clock. The road ahead then became even tougher for Trejan Bridges.

Bridges spent the 2022 season at East Los Angeles, recording 1,039 receiving yards and earning All-American NJAAC honors. The Carrollton, Texas, native then tried joining Central Arkansas, an FCS team, in the 2023 season, but was again denied his eligibility waiver by the NCAA. So, having denied the eligibility, Bridges sat out the 2023 season, as the NCAA cited “character and conduct violations” to deny his eligibility. The player finally joined the team in 2024, recording 748 receiving yards for six touchdowns, and has finally chosen to walk away from college football. As for his path to the NFL, it could turn out to be an unexpected turn in his career, considering Bridges’ talent.

Is Trejan Bridges finally on the path to a true revival of his career?

A driving force in high school, Bridges was a standout performer in 2018, winning the Showstopper of the Year award. Moreover, his performances also earned him a District 6-6A Co-MVP in 2017, and he was also an exceptional athlete on the basketball court, getting second team all district selection in 2016. If not for the NCAA’s denial of eligibility, the player would surely have turned out exceptionally at Oklahoma. That’s probably why Bridges is having his one last chance under the sun.

“He’s a guy that you want on your team because of his athletic ability, but also because of his selflessness. Who doesn’t want a kid that’s willing to make your team better, no matter what?” described Jeff Hill, Bridges’ offensive coordinator at Hebron High School, about his quality. As for his NFL quality, despite not seeing game time at the highest level, Bridges has clocked the 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds, and ‘NFL Draft Buzz’ rated him a decent 61.2.

All of this is surely a start, and working out with the NFL teams will certainly be a chance where Bridges could finally impress and redeem his career. It still would be a big ask, considering players rarely get that far away from those camps. But stories like Kurt Warner’s still inspire players and give a sliver of hope, despite every adversity. So, it might not be outside the realm of possibility to see a similar trajectory for Trejan Bridges, too, right?