Arizona State linebacker Carl Bradford, who is third in the Pac-12 with 18 tackles for loss, said he will decide after the Dec. 30 Holiday Bowl if he will return for his senior season.
Bradford (6-foot-1, 242 pounds) plays the "devil" position -- a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end -- for the Sun Devils. He tied for the team lead with 8.5 sacks this season and has 20 sacks and 39.5 tackles for loss in the past two seasons. Bradford has asked for feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.
"I'll just see what they say, talk it over with my family and just pray on it and go from there," Bradford told the Arizona Republic.
Bradford, who graduated this semester with a degree in criminal justice, told the Republic that if he is considered no worse than a second-round draft pick, he might leave.
"If I come back or not, I'll have my degree, which I promised my mom I'll get before I leave," he told the newspaper. "If I do come back, I don't have to stress so much on school work and can really focus on football."
Bradford's pass-rushing skills are impressive. He has a quick first step and also possesses good strength and explosiveness. In addition, Bradford is physical and plays with a mean streak. But that mean streak got him into trouble this season, when he was benched for the second half of a win over Oregon State after he got into a sideline altercation with teammates.
Bradford chose Arizona State over San Diego State in the recruitment process. He is from Norco, Calif., the same hometown as Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
