Draft diary: Arizona State's Carl Bradford racks up NFL visits
USA TODAY Sports recruited 11 prospects to chronicle their journey to the NFL draft.Today's entry is from Arizona State linebacker Carl Bradford, who had 19 tackles for loss and 8½ sacks as a redshirt junior with the Sun Devils in 2013.
I'm in Arizona, just working out at the school with some other guys that came out that are seniors and trying to stay in that routine. I talked to my strength coach here, and he gave me a workout sheet, put a plan together for me. I usually go condition first and then I go get my lift in and I'll do my linebacker drills afterwards.
I went to San Diego. The Chargers flew me out there. I met with the head coach and the general manager and all that, and they showed me around the facility. Then this past week I just got done visiting Pittsburgh. The Steelers flew me out and did the same thing there. I'm going to visit the 49ers, too, and the Bears contacted me saying they'll get with me to set up something.
I enjoy it. You get to travel around and meet new people. But it is a business trip. You take it as a professional and not go there and wear basketball shorts and whatnot. I usually just put some slacks on and some loafers and a nice button-up. You make them try to love you and get to know who you are as a person.
Where would I actually feel comfortable playing? That's one question I still get asked a lot. A lot of teams don't know where I would play. Some say middle linebacker. Some say outside linebacker or end.
My freshman year of high school, I played running back. I was a bigger back, so I just looked to run over people. I wasn't really trying to juke or anything. Just from having that mindset where you always want to hit and attack people, it developed well on defense, and my mentality of how I play is physical. It mixes perfectly.
I'm a pretty laid-back guy. But when it's go time, my intensity does go up, and I try to give my all through anything I do — practices or games. I get hyped on the field. I get hyped when we win. I show that in my emotions. I don't do a lot of yelling and hyping up before the game. But during it and after, I'm pretty live.
I try to look for the sack or the big play every down. You never know when that play's going to come, so I try to give my full effort and keep my motor going during all the plays. I never know when that tackle's going to slack off — that might be my chance. Effort's a big part of my game.
My family is excited for me, and anxious. They really don't know the whole process and whatnot. They just know I'm in the draft and I don't have no choice about it. They're very proud of me and happy I'm chasing my dreams. I love them for that.
Growing up, I played Nintendo with my older brothers and sisters. I actually found one on eBay. I'm like, 'I want to play Duck Hunt, Super Mario.' I'm a young body with an old soul. I also got a ukulele. I'm teaching myself how to play. If I get more visits, I can take it and practice it in the hotels. I do have a ton of free time.
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Follow Carl Bradford on Twitter @CarlBradford52
