Bradley Committed to Sooners, Still Considering Pro Baseball

Archie Bradley did not send a letter of intent to Oklahoma yet, but he remains committed to the Sooners as he awaits the Major League Baseball Draft.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 6:05 pm

By: News On 6

Bradley Committed to Sooners, Still Considering Pro Baseball

Originally Published: Feb 2, 2011 3:29 PM CDT

Joe McCann
Oklahoma Sports Tulsa Executive Producer

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -- Broken Arrow star Archie Bradley did not send his letter of intent to Oklahoma on National Signing Day, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be going to OU.

Weather and road conditions forced a postponement of Broken Arrow’s National Signing Day ceremonies. The star quarterback and baseball player chatted with Oklahoma Sports to clarify his status with the program.

“100% no doubt about it,” Bradley said of his commitment to OU during the chat.

“I didn’t send my letter of intent today. I’m waiting to do it with my teammates and coaches.”

Although Bradley’s letter of intent will be in Norman soon, Sooner fans are understandably skeptical if Bradley will ever suit up for OU.

Bradley is a highly-rated pitcher for the Tigers’ baseball team. He could hear his name called in this summer’s Major League Baseball Draft. He has five pitches in his arsenal: a two and four-seam fastball, a change-up, curveball, and a cutter. What gets scouts’ attention, however, is Bradley’s fastball.

“I sit at 93-96 (miles per hour). I topped out at 98 this summer.”

Talent like that will certainly tempt some MLB teams to use an early draft pick on Bradley.

“I hear first round, and I've met with several teams but it changes daily. So, I don't put to much stock into it,” he said.

Even with the potential of getting a big contract offer this summer, Bradley still has a passion for football and Oklahoma. It’s something that would be tough for him to pass up.

“I understand why (fans) think that (I’m going pro),” he said. “But I love football and OU.”

While he remains committed to the Sooners, Bradley has a great admiration for Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden, who faced a decision similar to Bradley’s coming out of high school.

Weeden was drafted by the Yankees in 2002 and played in the minor leagues for three organizations before an arm injury cut his baseball career short.

Weeden then came back to football and is in the middle of a successful career with the Cowboys that could help earn him a shot in the NFL. Bradley hopes to talk to Weeden about the baseball/football decision sometime soon.

“I've followed him very closely and would like to talk to him and maybe get some advice,” Bradley said.

It will all depend on what happens in this summer’s draft, and then Bradley will make his final decision. Fans should not expect any decision earlier than this summer.

“My timeline is based on the draft. So, I would say around June,” Bradley said about his decision announcement. “I hope to play football again, but only time will tell!”