Bradford’s record career almost didn’t happen

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Brian Bradford was almost a Husky at the University of Connecticut — not an All-American linebacker at Towson University.

Recruited by Connecticut as a senior at Montgomery County’s Gaithersburg High in 2003, Bradford had his sights set on Storrs, Conn. But late in the recruiting process, Connecticut pursued other players, leaving Bradford with his best option being just 50 miles from his front porch: Towson.

Five years later, Bradford will graduate from the Baltimore County university with not only a degree in Exercise Science, but also as the school’s sixth first-team All-American since it began competing at the Division I level in 1987.

“It means so much because we had a linebackers coach my freshman year [Canute Curtis] and he had an All-American certificate on his wall from West Virginia,” Bradford, who was the last recruit of his class to sign a letter of intent to play at Towson, said. “One day, he was teasing me and said ‘if you want, it you can have it’ and I told him, ‘I’d rather get my own than take it off.’”

On Tuesday, he did.

Bradford was named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association yesterday, recognizing his outstanding senior season. Bradford finished second in the 116-team Football Championship Subdivision with 149 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, an interception and a blocked field goal in 11 games.

One of Bradford’s best performances came against Villanova, when he made a career-high 19 tackles. But Towson coach Gordy Combs, a former Towson linebacker, was sure to let Bradford know that he never equaled his career-high of 20 in a game.

“He and I had a running feud,” Combs said with a laugh. “He is a young man with a personality you like to be around. We’ve been able to have guys earn the recognition and it’s a tremendous honor for our program. For someone like Brian, who’s worked hard to put himself in this position, it’s really special.”

And as Bradford ends his collegiate career, he is discovering he must prove himself all over again. During the next few months, he will train for tests administered by National Football League scouts, as Bradford will try to earn a spot on an NFL roster. He likely will not hear his name called at Radio City Music Hall during the NFL Draft in April, but Towson’s third all-time leading tackler is simply looking for a chance.

“I am going to give everything to get there,” Bradford, who finished his career with 328 stops, said. “I want to have the opportunity to show what I can do.”

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com

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