Top schools being reformatted for four-star QB Jayden Bradford, OV contenders shared
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
BRADENTON, Fla. – Enough time along the college football recruiting trail, things will change. Coaches will move from one team to another, schemes are altered, and recruits seeking that ideal next level fit will look around for a landing spot. With four-star 2024 Florida quarterback Jayden Bradford, a top-four back in November is set for a new format.
At the 20-offer mark, additional scholarship opportunities were piled on this spring with Syracuse, Florida Atlantic, Coastal Carolina, and Illinois making their run at the IMG Academy (Bradenton) talent. The new opportunities are giving pause to a top-four of NC State, South Carolina, Penn State, and Louisville released in November.
“Recently, I would say my top schools have changed,” Bradford said. “Things happen, stuff that I really cannot control or make right. I’d say my top schools have changed, I have been talking to different schools like Syracuse, UAB, FAU, Illinois, and Cincinnati. I have been talking to a few schools to explore my options to see which school fits me best and where I can go play early and make a name for myself.”
The former schools in the running for Bradford’s signed National Letter of Intent are not fully out of the picture.
“I wouldn’t say they are completely out,” Bradford shared. “I’m an open book. I love the schools that have recruited me, I have developed great relationships. But if it is the transfer portal or if they like another guy, that is something I really can’t control. I’m just trying to keep my head up and keep working to find a program that will develop me.”
The recruiting heat for Bradford has not dropped off with the new squads forging influential bonds.
“Definitely Cincinnati,” Bradford stated. “They have done a great job of staying in contact. Obviously, they are the old staff from Louisville; they kept recruiting me there. Syracuse has also been in contact with me. UAB and FAU have been among the top schools reaching out a lot. Tulane has been a big one as well. I want to have more contact with them and learn more about them and their program.”
Official visit season will ramp up in June, the four-star gunslinger has ideas on where he may go.
“I haven’t set any officials yet,” Bradford said. “I haven’t locked any in yet, but I will take some this season to feel out my options and commit soon.”
Bradford continued, “UAB, I will definitely get an OV there. FAU, I will definitely get an OV there, and I will try to get up to Illinois; I don’t know about that one yet, but I will try to get one there. I’m also looking to set one with Syracuse and Cincinnati.”
New UAB head coach Trent Dilfer carries a deserved quarterback reputation with him to the Blazers’ program.
“UAB is a great program,” Bradford shared. “With all of coach Trent Dilfer’s coaches that he has brought from the Elite 11, his work and coaching is a testament to how good he is and that has been proven time and time again. I think going there learning from a QB based staff would really develop me and prepare me for the NFL.”
The long-standing relationship with the Bearcats’ staff could lead to a next level pairing.
“Our relationship is great,” Bradford stated. “They’ve recruited me since I was in the 10th or 11th grade when I got here. I developed a relationship with them when they were at Louisville. It has been great getting to learn more about them and getting to know them more, that has me excited and I can’t wait to get up there.”
A strong relationship with the Orange’s QB coach is a draw for Bradford to Syracuse.
“I really love coach (Jason) Beck (QB),” Bradford said. “They’re a pass-first offense. They throw it a lot, and they’ve had a lot of great guys come out of there. He seems like a really genuine guy. I feel that if I went there, I would not be looked at as a number, but I’d be cared for. Because of his (Beck) hospitality and how real he has been with me, that is what I like.”
As official visits are being set, one unofficial stop may happen this summer.
“I am going to try to go to South Carolina,” Bradford shared. “I haven’t been there in a while, and I want to see coach (Dowell) Loggains (OC/QB); I haven’t met him yet. I want to get there and meet him, but I haven’t set it up yet.”