Two former high-school football players from Forsyth County -- Jeff Bradley of West Forsyth and Derek Nicholson of Mount Tabor -- have signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams.
Bradley, a defensive lineman from Western Carolina who graduated from West Forsyth in 2004, has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Nicholson, a linebacker from Florida State and a 2005 graduate of Mount Tabor, has signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Bradley, 6-2, 275, was a two-time All-Southern Conference player at Western. When he received the free-agent offer from the Steelers, it couldn't have come from a more fitting team, according to his father, Ed Bradley. Ed Bradley played eight years in the NFL and played for Super Bowl winning teams in Pittsburgh 1974 and '75.
"He was concerned if he got picked up by another team he would have to take the Steelers decals off his pickup truck and now he doesn't have to worry about that," Ed Bradley said. "I am not sure if it's sunk in to him yet. He was tight lipped when he got the call, but very relieved. There was a lot of emotion built up. I am not sure he has cracked his lip yet."
Jeff Bradley said that Steelers officials were in contact with him throughout Sunday and called him about 45 minutes after the draft ended.
"Everything from here on will be a plus to me," Jeff Bradley said. "I will go in with a good attitude, work hard and try my hardest to make the team. I have been working out really hard for about five months now. Had pro day at Wake (last month) and did really well. I was happy with the numbers I posted and I am still working out hard and have three weeks to report to mini camp."
Bradley said he will be in Pittsburgh on Friday for rookie orientation.
Nicholson, a 6-2, 235-pounder, said that he was surprised he wasn't drafted but was also grateful for the opportunity to make the Falcons.
"Last year I had a mid-round (draft) grade, fourth or fifth round," Nicholson said. "But I wanted to come back to school and prove it. During the course of the season I heard good things. For some reason my draft status went in the other direction and I was a little surprised. After the season I heard from teams and had several workouts after my pro day. I still thought I would go in the middle to sixth round.
"God has everything happen for a reason. It's a blessing right now just to have an opportunity. I got to go out there and compete and do what I know how to do best and that's play football. I am not a great athlete -- I'm a very good athlete, not a great one. But I have to compete hard on special teams and when I have opportunities on defense to make plays. I will have my mind set and stay focused and I will compete."
Nicholson said his rookie orientation will start May 8.
In other signings, three Wake Forest players signed free-agent contracts late Sunday and yesterday, increasing to eight the number of players from the 2004 recruiting class to sign with the NFL.
Kicker Sam Swank landed with the Philadelphia Eagles, safety Kevin Patterson with the Jacksonville Jaguars and receiver D.J. Boldin with the Detroit Lions.
Two Duke players -- receiver Eron Riley and offensive lineman Cameron Goldberg -- signed free-agent contracts.
Riley signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Goldberg is headed for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are beginning rebuilding with a new coach and general manager.
"Going in we all obviously want to be drafted," Riley said. "Things didn't work out how I wanted them to, but at the end of the day all I wanted was an opportunity and I have that now. I'm very excited."
Goldberg is confident that he is entering a good situation with the Chiefs.
"It just seemed like the Chiefs would be a better situation for me," Goldberg said. "It sounds great to me. It's just like a whole new system. I think there's going to be a lot of opportunity there.
"From what I understand about the new coaches, they really like hard-working guys. That's what they're about: tough football. That's my kind of football playing."
■ Bill Cole and Dan Collins contributed to this story.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement