Carter Bradley, Gus’ son, out to forge own NFL path

INDIANAPOLIS — Carter Bradley spent his Monday on another pre-draft visit, trying to show an NFL team he deserves to hear his name called in the draft at the end of the month.

But this one was a little different. This time, Bradley’s father was on the field at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, watching every throw the South Alabama quarterback made as one of the four quarterbacks and 58 prospects invited to participate in the Colts’ local pro day.

Bradley, the son of Indianapolis defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, has spent most of his life learning from his dad’s NFL career.

Now, it’s finally time for him to pursue his own NFL path.

“I feel like I’ve been getting talks about this whole process since I was 10 or 11,” Bradley said. “How I should handle myself, the elite guys and what separates them.”

Bradley might not be a household name in a draft dominated by the quarterbacks at the top. But he’s made the most of his chances to establish himself as an option for a team seeking a developmental quarterback.

Bradley’s rise has happened quickly and off the radar, compared to most prospects. Four years at Toledo did not produce a starting opportunity, and Bradley transferred to South Alabama with two years of eligibility remaining and hopes that he could get the playing time that never came with the Rockets.

He ended up starting two seasons, completing 66% of his passes for 5,995 yards, 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions over two seasons in Mobile, earning himself, first, a Hula Bowl invitation, then a spot in the Senior Bowl, putting him in the NFL’s premier pre-draft showcase.

And although he did not get an invitation to the NFL scouting combine, the Senior Bowl might have been the best place for Bradley to catch an NFL team’s eye.

Unlike the Combine, which focuses on rapid-fire interviews, physical testing and medical reports, the Senior Bowl gives players a chance to show NFL teams how they will pursue their NFL career in practices, team meetings, the film room.

For that reason, plenty of general managers, including Colts general manager Chris Ballard, have put a premium on information gleaned at the Senior Bowl over the years.

Because of his father’s profession, Bradley was perfectly suited to shine in that setting.

He knows how he’s supposed to handle himself, how to approach the game.

“That feel for the game is a little bit different,” Bradley said. “Being in facilities, being around guys who handle themselves on a day to day basis. You hear all the stories of guys leaving faster than they come in. … Your dad’s always telling you about it. You fear that, but you get a good sense of how you should handle yourself.”

Bradley, now 24, has spent most of his life around NFL teams. Watching. Listening.

Hearing his dad reveal what a coaching staff values.

“I’ve always kind of been that fly in the room, trying to absorb anything I can,” Bradley said. “I think that’s really helped me.”

Bradley knows how his father has approached the game.

He has also watched how some of the game’s greats approach the game, seen firsthand how players like Philip Rivers became so successful. Bradley’s two seasons at South Alabama placed him close to the former Chargers and Colts quarterback again, and Rivers was present at Bradley’s Pro Day.

Gus spent time with the Chargers. “Growing up around the league, with him being a coach, I’ve met unbelievable people,” Bradley said. “They’ve been in my corner.”

Bradley does not know what to expect from this draft process.

While he’s not expected to hear his name called on the first two days of the draft, the NFL’s approach to the Saturday rounds – the fourth through seventhround picks — is hard to predict.

Bradley does not know if he’ll be drafted or sign somewhere as an undrafted free agent.

All he knows is that he wants a chance to show what he can do on an NFL practice field.

And as much as he’s learned from his father, there are some things the son is going to have to do on his own. For example, on Monday, Bradley did not get to spend much one-on-one time with his father.

The two men can connect any time. Monday was about showing the Colts what he can do.

“It’s business,” Bradley said. “Always business.”

A business he understands better than most.