It’s understandable when someone who is from outside the Northwest doesn’t know where the University of Idaho is located, or even that it exists.
Idaho senior defensive end Quinton Bradley, originally from San Antonio, didn’t initially know who he was talking to when Idaho called him about five years ago.
“They called me and I thought this was like Vanderbilt,” Bradley said. “I didn’t know where (UI) was so I had to look it up.”
Bradley slowly became a force for the team after he redshirted in 2011. Bradley had two sacks, made five tackles and added a fumble recovery to the stat sheet against Arkansas State Saturday.
“I think he’s got great football one-on-one skills,” Idaho defensive coordinator Mike Breske said. “He understands the game. (He’s got) a powerful first step and can get you off balance. He’s got those meat hooks and is very, very strong and if he gets a hold of you, you’re going down.”
Idaho defensive line coach Kenny Holmes said Bradley’s leadership is what has impressed him the most.
“When things get tough he speaks up,” Holmes said. “When we need a pep talk, he’s there to give a pep talk. When we need a big play on the field, he usually makes a big play to get things turned back in the other direction.”
After spending five years in the Vandal football program, including this season, Bradley said each year he and his teammates have improved.
He said he has improved his effort and production.
If a play weren’t run to his side, he said wouldn’t really try to track down the ball carrier earlier in his career. He said his production has increased, including sacks and tackles.
He’s also gotten bigger. Bradley said he entered his first year at Idaho weighing 219 pounds and now he’s 260.
A lot of people talk about how popular football is in Texas and Bradley said the hype is true.
“It’s big,” he said. “You know you look back and you’re like dang, high school ball was fun. You were a popular kid. You had a little get back on Friday … It’s a great experience in Texas.”
Growing up in San Antonio and then moving to Moscow can be a shock in many aspects, including the weather, Bradley said.
“It was the first time I ever saw snow,” Bradley said. “I went to go play in it and I figured I don’t like snow. It’s not really that fun as people make it seem on T.V.”
But he said he loves Moscow.
“It’s crazy,” Bradley said. “Being here and then going home for breaks sometimes it’s like ‘wow,’ it’s such a big difference. I love it. (Moscow) is my second home right now.”
Bradley said he tries to focus on the season at hand and not worry about his possible football future after Idaho.
“I try not to think about that too much because I’m in season,” Bradley said. “I want to help my teammates out now. When that comes, it’ll come. I just got to take it day by day.”
Holmes, who was a first-round NFL draft pick, said Bradley has a chance to play at the next level.
“He just has to continue to develop, continue to have the approach to the game the way that he has the approach to the game,” Holmes said. “Every day he wants to get better at something and yesterday (Sept. 29) he was in early watching film and that’s a big part of being a professional — being able to watch film on your down time.”
If professional football doesn’t work out, Bradley said he can fall back on his psychology major.
“If things didn’t work out afterwards, I’d really pursue my master’s in (psychology) because the human mind is crazy,” he said.
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CabezaGarrett