Yes, I always love it when The University of Auburn gets a new recruit to pledge. Especially when we can steal one away from that perrinial foosball powerhouse, Kentucky. But seriously, it looks like a good get. We needs the help on D.
By Joel A. Erickson | jerickson@al.com
on January 07, 2013 at 3:23 PM, updated January 07, 2013 at 3:34 PM
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Ben Bradley made five sacks and 9.5 tackles-for-loss for Hutchinson last season. (Hutchinson Community College)
AUBURN, Alabama – Auburn's push to sign players who can contribute immediately has landed its third junior college transfer.
Ben Bradley, a 6-3, 315-pound four-star defensive tackle from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, announced the decision on Twitter Monday afternoon and plans to enroll for the start of classes Wednesday.
** Click here to watch video of Ben Bradley's highlights at Hutchinson **
"I know now through this long journey where I belong," Bradley tweeted. "I'm spending my next 2 years (at) the University of Auburn #WarEagle"
Bradley, who was originally scheduled to announce his decision on Monday morning chose the Tigers over Kentucky after visiting both campuses this weekend and what he called a very tough decision-making process moments before making his announcement.
"It is really about where I see myself playing, where I see myself getting better and competing," Bradley said after his Sunday visit.
Bradley is Auburn's third junior college signee in the 2013 class, and Highlands (Kan.) Community College safety Brandon King committed to the Tigers on Friday, although he plans to sign his national letter of intent on Feb. 6.
Half of a talented defensive tackle tandem for the Blue Dragons, Bradley's the second Hutchinson player to sign with Auburn after guard Devonte Danzey signed on Christmas Day, and more could be on the way.
His roommate, Toby Johnson, is another four-star defensive tackle who was being recruited hard by Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner even when Garner was still at Georgia, and Bradley's decision could help sway Johnson.
The Tigers are also recruiting four-star Hutchinson linebacker Antonio Longino.
"Toby told me," Bradley said. "If he sticks to his word, if I go to Auburn, he'll go to Auburn."
A late push by Auburn's coaching staff helped land Bradley.
He already knew head coach Gus Malzahn and Garner. When Malzahn was still the head coach at Arkansas State, he recruited Bradley, although Bradley never planned to sign with the Red Wolves.
"You know he's going to score," Bradley said. "And he has got good defensive guys there like Gabe Wright and all those boys I played with out of my class. You can see they still have talent.
And he knew Garner from the former Georgia coach's pursuit of Johnson, who made 37 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks while playing next to Bradley, who had 43 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks last season.
Beyond his relationship with Auburn's coaching staff, Bradley badly wanted to play in the SEC, near his hometown of Norcross, Ga.
Now Bradley plans to enroll early and get a head start on earning playing time in the fall among a crowded Auburn defensive tackle group that brings back all four regular contributors – Jeff Whitaker, Ken Carter, Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson – but failed to make much of an impact in 2012.
"I really like the coaches that Malzahn put together," Bradley said. "I felt real comfortable there."
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