Carl Bradford: Difference between revisions

| name = Carl Bradford

| image = Carl Bradford.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Bradford with the [[Green Bay Packers]] in 2015

| current_team =

| number = 45, 54, 43

| position = [[Inside linebackerLinebacker]]

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|8|15}}

| birth_place = [[Anaheim, California]], U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lbs = 250

| high_school = [[Norco High School|Norco (CA)]]

| college = [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]]

| draftyear = 2014

| draftround = 4

| draftpick = 121

| pastteams =

* [[Houston Roughnecks (2020)|Houston Roughnecks]] ({{XFL Year|2020}})

| pastteamsnotestatus = yes

| status cflstatus =

| cflstatushighlights = =

| statseason statvalue1 = 5

'''Carl Thomas Bradford''' (born August 15, 1992) is a former [[American football]] [[linebacker]]. He played [[college football]] at [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]], and was draftedselected by the [[Green Bay Packers]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) in the fourth round of the [[2014 NFL Draftdraft]]. He haswas also been a member of the [[San Francisco 49ers]], [[Buffalo Bills]], [[Chicago Bears]], and [[Cincinnati Bengals]] of the NFL; the [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]] of the [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] (CFL); the [[Arizona Hotshots]] of the [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]] (AAF); and the [[Houston Roughnecks (2020)|Houston Roughnecks]] of the [[XFL (2020)|XFL]].

==Early yearslife==

Bradford attended [[Norco High School]] in [[Norco, California]].<ref name="pfr.norco">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bc3c8a |title=Norco (Norco, CA) Alumni Pro Stats |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] |access-date=October 11, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> While there, he was coached by [[Todd Gerhart]], father of 2009 [[Heisman Trophy]] runner-up [[Toby Gerhart]]. Bradford played [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] at Norco as a junior and [[linebacker]] as a senior. During his senior year, he had 136 [[Carry (gridiron football)|carries]] for 884 yards, averaging 6.5 per carry with 14 [[touchdown]]s. Additionally, he averaged 35.3 yards per reception and had four games with over 100 [[Rush (gridiron football)|rushing]] yards. The best game of his high school career came against [[Corona High School]], in which he had 136 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and caught two touchdown passes. He was named to the All-West-Legion list by ''[[PrepStar College Recruiting|Prepstar]]''.<ref name="ASU bio">{{Cite web |title=Arizona State Sun Devils: Carl Bradford |url=http://www.thesundevils.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1329 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=TheSunDevils.com}}</ref>

Bradford decided to sign his [[national letter of intent|letter of intent]] with [[Arizona State University]] and received a [[Redshirt (college sports)|redshirt]] designation his first year on campus. Even so, he earned Hard Hat Player designation for his work in the off-season strength and conditioning program.<ref name="ASU bio" />

During his first year on the field as a redshirt sophomore, Bradford played on [[special teams]] and alternated on defense between linebacker and [[defensive end]]. He played in all 13 games.<ref name="ASU bio" /> During a game against [[2011 Arizona Wildcats football team|Arizona]], he recorded a [[Quarterback sack|sack]] against [[quarterback]] [[Nick Foles]] and three-and-a-half [[Tackle (football move)|tackles]] for loss.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2011 |title=Arizona vs. Arizona State - Play-By-Play |url=http://scores.espn.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=313230009&period=0 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002014747/http://scores.espn.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=313230009&period=0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later in the season, he recorded his first start in the [[Las Vegas Bowl|MAACO Bowl]] against [[2011 Boise State Broncos football team|Boise State]], who was ranked sixth in the nation at the time.<ref name="ASU bio" />

The next year, Bradford started every game of the season. He recorded his first career [[interception]] in a 17-3838–17 loss against [[2012 USC Trojans football team|USC]]. He also had ten tackles and a [[fumble]] recovery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2012 |title=Arizona State vs. USC - Box Score |url=http://scores.espn.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=323150030 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002014746/http://scores.espn.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=323150030 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He added two more sacks against [[2012 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]].<ref name="ASU bio" /> He finished the season with 81 tackles, the fourth most on the team, and was named as an honorable mention on the [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference football teams|All-Pac-12 Conference]] team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2012 |title=Pac-12 football awards and all-conference team announced |url=http://pac-12.com/article/2012/11/26/pac-12-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408070133/http://pac-12.com/article/2012/11/26/pac-12-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced |archive-date=April 8, 2015 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Pac-12.com}}</ref> Additionally, 58 of his tackles were solo and 20.5 of them were for a loss. He also had five [[Pass deflected|pass deflections]], three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.<ref name="ASU bio" />

In his final year as a Sun Devil, Bradford was named to the preseason watchlists for the [[Chuck Bednarik Award|Bednarik]], [[Lombardi Award|Lombardi]], and [[Butkus Award|Butkus]] awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marotta |first=Vince |date=July 8, 2013 |title=ASU's Will Sutton, Carl Bradford on Bednarik Award Watch List |url=http://arizonasports.com/story/70019/asus-will-sutton-carl-bradford-on-bednarik-award-watch-list/ |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=ArizonaSports.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2013 |title=ASU Football's Sutton earns Walter Camp preseason recognition |url=http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/story/22889126/asu-footballs-sutton-earns-walter-camp-preseason-recognition |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002042242/http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/story/22889126/asu-footballs-sutton-earns-walter-camp-preseason-recognition |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=RaycomGroup.com}}</ref> He started all 14 games of the season. Bradford had a career-best four tackles for loss against [[2013 Arizona Wildcats football team|Arizona]], and later in the season returned an interception for a touchdown against [[2013 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]. During a [[Halloween]] game against [[2013 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]], he had arguably the best game of his college career when he had one sack, two forced fumbles, three hurries, and blocked a [[Punt (gridiron football)|punt]]. Bradford's efforts earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors by [[Phil Steele]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Steele's 2013 postseason All-Pac-12 team |url=https://www.philsteele.com/all_conference/2013/2013_postseason/pac12.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183507/http://www.philsteele.com/All_Conference/2013/2013_Postseason/pac12.html |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=PhilSteele.com}}</ref> Additionally, he earned second-team by Athlon Sports.<ref>{{Cite webnews |last=Gall |first=Braden |date=December 11, 2013 |title=Pac-12 2013 Season Awards and All-Conference Team |url=http://athlonsports.com/college-football/pac-12-2013-season-awards-and-all-conference-team |access-date=September 28, 2016 |websitenewspaper=AthlonSportsAthlonsports.com &#124; Expert Predictions, Picks, and Previews}}</ref> He finished the season with 61 tackles, 19 for loss, and 8.5 sacks, all of which were the most on the team.

Having earned his bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice, Bradford announced on January 13, 2014, he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the [[2014 NFL Draftdraft]]. [[Head coach]] [[Todd Graham]] released a statement saying it was an honor to coach Bradford and wished him the best in his future endeavors. Bradford's official draft grade was not released, but one source revealed that scouts told him he would be a third-round pick.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lockman |first=Tyler |date=January 13, 2014 |title=ASU linebacker Bradford declares for NFL Draft |url=http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/asu-s-bradford-reportedly-hires-agents-011314 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=FoxSports.com}}</ref>

Bradford was selected in the fourth round (121st overall) by the [[Green Bay Packers]] in the [[2014 NFL Draft]]draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carl Bradford Draft Profile |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/carl--bradford?id=2543552 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He believed he would be drafted in the second round. He stated he's "always been a sleeper..." and would do what he needed to do to get noticed. Bradford listed his biggest challenge as learning to drop back into coverage. He stated when he first got to Green Bay, his head "was spinning" and that the way the Packers played was like a "foreign language" to him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunne |first=Tyler |date=June 29, 2014 |title=Carl Bradford aims to make other teams regret not drafting him |url=http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/carl-bradford-aims-to-make-other-teams-regret-not-drafting-him-b99300396z1-265144391.html |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=JSOnline.com}}</ref> On May 16, 2014, he signed a contract with the Packers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2014 |title=Packers sign draft pick, add undrafted rookie |url=http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/packers-sign-draft-pick-add-undrafted-rookie/2492eeb4-64e7-458e-b96d-a4b4f7a7ad48 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530043052/http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/Packers-sign-draft-pick-add-undrafted-rookie/2492eeb4-64e7-458e-b96d-a4b4f7a7ad48 |archive-date=May 30, 2014 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Packers.com}}</ref> In his rookie season, Bradford was inactive for every game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers: Carl Bradford |url=http://www.packers.com/team/roster/carl-bradford/02c4d963-bad4-485e-8700-f8bc71a630c0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925112744/http://www.packers.com/team/roster/Carl-Bradford/02c4d963-bad4-485e-8700-f8bc71a630c0 |archive-date=September 25, 2016 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Packers.com}}</ref>

Bradford was claimed off waivers by the [[San Francisco 49ers]] on December 19, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2016 |title=49ers Place LB Nick Bellore on IR, Claim LB Carl Bradford off Waivers |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-place-lb-nick-bellore-on-ir-claim-lb-carl-bradford-off-waivers-18302554 |website=49ers.com}}</ref>

On October 11, 2017, Bradford was signed to the [[Chicago Bears]]' practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2017 |title=Bears cut Deonte Thompson, sign Carl Bradford and Darreus Rogers |url=https://chi.247sports.com/Boltnfl/Chicagochicago-Bearsbears/article/chicago-bears-cut-Deontedeonte-Thompsonthompson-Carlcarl-Bradfordbradford-Darreusdarreus-Rogersrogers-ssigned-108753929/ |website=247sports.com}}</ref> He was released on October 28, 2017.

On September 14, 2018, Bradford was revealed as a new signing for the [[Arizona Hotshots]] of the [[Alliance of American Football]] for the 2019 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2018 |title=Former ASU Standouts Will Sutton, Carl Bradford sign with new pro football league |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/football/2018/09/14/alliance-american-football-signs-sutton-carl-bradford-asu-sun-devil-stadium/1304294002/ |website=azcentral.com}}</ref> The league ceased operations in April 2019.<ref>{{Cite newsweb |last=Michael Rothstein |first=SethMichael |last2=Wickersham |first2=Seth |date=June 13, 2019 |title=Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football |work=[[ESPN]] |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26957796/inside-short-unhappy-life-alliance-american-football |access-date=SeptemberJanuary 129, 20192024 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>

In October 2019, Bradford was picked up by the [[Houston Roughnecks (2020)|Houston Roughnecks]] of the [[XFL (2020)|XFL]] in the open phase of the [[2020 XFL Draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Talbot |first=Damond |date=October 16, 2019 |title=XFL Draft Phase 5: The Final Rounds of the Draft, Find out who was selected |url=https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2019/10/xfl-draft-8/ |access-date=October 22, 2019 |publisher=NFL Draft Diamonds}}</ref> He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Condotta, Bob |date=April 10, 2020 |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |work=SeattleTimes.com |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref>

[[Category:Cincinnati Bengals players]]