WEST PALM BEACH – Is it FIU or Shorter University?
This life-changing decision means everything to Anthony Bradley, who went from being an unknown to a blossoming cornerback in his senior season at Palm Beach Lakes.
Bradley, who is listed at 6-foot, 160 pounds, was offered by FIU for both football and track. While this looks like the more probable option for the outgoing senior cornerback, he may or may not want to stay close to home.
Meanwhile, Shorter is a Division II football program based in Rome, Ga. The institution will be coming off a season which it finished with a 1-10 record.
Who knows? Bradley may want to get away from his home state and start anew by becoming a key component of Shorter’s potential revival in 2020 and beyond.
Regardless, Bradley’s mentality will likely carry him far no matter where he goes for the next several years.
“Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready,” said Bradley, who doesn’t know when he’ll make his decision just yet. “I learned that from my coach (Palm Beach Lakes head coach Al Shipman).”
Looking back at his time at Lakes, Bradley certainly had a breakout senior year, to say the least. He finished with 50+ tackles, 8 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble in 11 games played for the No. 1-ranked program in Palm Beach County, the District 12-7A champion, and the Lou Groza Team of the Year (10-1 final record; reached Class 7A-Region 3 semifinal round).
“It was very fun and effective, but throughout out the whole season, I learned some very important things I need to know on and off the field,” Bradley said. “It was straight hard work all summer. My coach (Shipman) gave us no days off. We were right back at it everyday, even in the weight room. We went very hard in there also.”
Bradley had a memorable three-game stretch this past season against Glades Central (Week 3; 44-13 road win), Royal Palm Beach (Week 4; 34-7 road win), and Pahokee (Week 5; 48-0 home win; best overall team performance of the season). His best individual game might have come against Glades Central in the Muck, when he caught two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score.
“When I saw GC (Glades Central) on our schedule, I set in my mind Im coming home to put on show,” Bradley said. “That’s all I know, and that’s how I forever see it. I knew I was going back home to play against all my brothers, but on that field ain’t no mercy. May the best man win.”
Bradley on the Lakes win over Glades Central in particular:
“It’s all love though,” Bradley said. “Them boys were help for us down the line into the playoffs.”
Bradley is close friends with fellow outgoing senior and former Glades Central standout wide receiver Jim Davis (No. 3-ranked WR; No. 17 overall player; Class of 2020). Even though Bradley and Davis were direct opponents in the Week 3 showdown, it’s a brotherly love there in any other situation.
“Me and Jim been homeboys since elementary school,” Bradley said. “He’s always been like a cousin to me. Jim played football with me in elementary. If anybody played with us in elementary, they had to be skilled because we were some tough kids. I was playing tackle football in the second grade with Jim and other friends.”
Bradley is also close to Glades Central outgoing senior wideout Desna “DJ” Washington (No. 4 WR; No. 18 overall player; 2020 class).
Overall, that three-game stretch had Muck written all over it for Bradley.
Side note: Royal Palm Beach has at least one player from the Muck, junior defensive back Jamall Tarver (No. 1 DB; No. 18 overall player; 2021 class).
“Them my boys,” Bradley said. “I knew them boys my whole life and competed with them every year of my youth life. It’s always been something special each year. We just get to know each other more.”
Bradley was determined to bring his Muck mentality to Palm Beach Lakes. Here’s what he had to say about that.
“When I first joined the team, I made it very clear to everybody I was from belle glade and I take football serious,” Bradley said. “It’s no smiling when you lose, so that means you have to get up and hit your enemy in the mouth every down. It affects everybody around me. You saw the results. Muck to the bone.”
Bradley (No. 61 overall player) enjoyed his learning experience at Palm Beach Lakes in more ways than one. He plans to take it all to the next level.
“I learned that in order to be successful, you have to work for what you want,” Bradley said. “You have to build relationship with you teammates and coaches. It’s another way to become a champion. I feel I am one now.”
