By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HOOVERS – One of the county’s biggest stars has officially made his college decision ahead of his final two years at Spain Park.

Jags quarterback Brock Bradley announced his commitment to play football at Clemson University on social media on Wednesday, August 21.

The junior announced on Thursday, August 15, that he had received an offer from Dabo Swinney and the Tigers before making his commitment less than a week later.

In his announcement post, Bradley thanked his family, coaches, trainers and teachers.

“The opportunity to play football at a university like Clemson is not one I will take lightly and I will work hard every day to earn the trust and support of everyone who is part of the Clemson family,” Bradley said.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound signal caller had a great first year as a starter in 2023, throwing for 1,845 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 60% completion rate while allowing just four interceptions as a sophomore in Class 7A, Region 3.

As a result, Bradley received honorable mention All-State for Class 7A as well as a selection to the All-County Second Team.

He is currently rated three stars by 247Sports and also had 15 total offers, including Power Four offers from Texas A&M, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Cincinnati.

Once Bradley steps onto Clemson’s campus, he will be next in a long line of talented Shelby County students at the institution.

Swinney himself was born in the area and grew up in Pelham. He was a three-sport athlete at Pelham High School before graduating in 1988. The school retired his jersey at a football game in 2019.

Bradley will also join a quarterback room that includes former Briarwood Christian quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who also counts former Lions offensive lineman Trent Howard among his teammates.

Clemson also boasts a former Shelby County Player of the Year, sophomore defensive lineman Peter Woods. The Thompson graduate was a freshman All-American last season with 27 tackles and a forced fumble in 12 starts for the Tigers.

In total, Clemson currently has five players from Shelby County on its roster, including freshman linebacker Joseph Roberto from Helena and junior kicker Hogan Morton from Oak Mountain.

Bradley will begin his final season against Sparkman on Friday, August 23rd at 7 p.m. at Spain Park High School.