Jay Bradford brings plenty of speed to football and track. He also brings loads of humility.
Photo by John Godwin
In the small town of Splendora, Texas, about 40 miles northeast of Houston, there is a young man who has worked hard to become one of the top football recruits in the country, and one of the top track and field stars in Texas.
But don't expect him to tell you about it.
Jay Bradford of
Splendora (Texas) had difficulty explaining how he's been able to excel in both football and track and field, all the while balancing the demands of academics and attempting to have some semblance of a normal adolescent social life.
"I don't know how I do it. I have no clue," he said with a chuckle.
But with a bit of urging from Splendora head football coach Brad Milam, Bradford was able to elaborate.
"I really do focus on getting my grades up so I can be able to compete," said Bradford, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound rising junior. "Then after school ends I get my mind set for practice and get everything done and get as much work in as I can. So at the end of the day I know I actually put the work in so that when a track meet or football game comes, it's nothing."
Only a humble, soft-spoken kid like Bradford would refer to the work he puts in and performances he delivers as "nothing." To him, that's just life.
Now a running back known for his blazing speed, Bradford wasn't always the fast kid on the field. He first began running track in seventh grade and has worked to develop his speed ever since, particularly in the weight room.
"I do a lot of squats and power cleans — especially power cleans," he said. "I love it."
See our special Jay Bradford photo galleryAll the training has clearly paid off, as Bradford is now the No. 36 overall football prospect and the No. 3 running back in the Class of 2015,
according to 247Sports.
He is also the reigning Class 3A state title holder in the 100 meters and long jump.
"Here at our school we encourage every athlete to participate in two sports," said Milam, who also serves as the school's athletic director. "And if you're a football player and you don't participate in basketball or baseball, you're running track."
Bradford's athleticism, work ethic and attitude have drawn nothing but praise from Milam, who compares him to a few NFL talents that he also coached: Derrick Blaylock, Jeremiah Trotter and Demorrio Williams.
"We all know 'potential' is a dangerous word," said Milam. "But the potential that Jay has is that potential that you don't find but once or twice in a career."
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