Hunter Bradford earns Defensive MVP at O-D

2010-01-21

The first day of the Offense-Defense Football Camp had just ended June 21 at Prairie View A&M University when Houston Texans wide receivers coach Larry Kirksey addressed the campers' parents. He praised the young football players for their enthusiasm for the game, then said something Brad Bradford did not expect.

"He said 'who's (Hunter) Bradford's parents,'" Brad said. "He said 'hey, you've done a great job. This kid's a football player.' That was a Father's Day gift for me."

By the time camp was over June 25, Hunter Bradford had made enough of an impression that he was honored as Defensive MVP for the 11-13 age group. Shortly after, he was selected to play in the first youth Offense-Defense All-American Bowl.

"I was surprised," Hunter said. "It's really cool because it's going to be on TV. When I'm flipping through the channels I always like those kinds of games, like Pee Wee bowl games."

The youth bowl games take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Jan. 2 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., preceding the nationally-televised high school game at 5 p.m. on Fox College Sports. This year marks the fourth edition of the high school game. The youth bowl is divided among age groups. Bradford, 12, will represent Team West at linebacker in the 11-13 division.

Hunter, a seventh-grade student at Willow Wood Junior High, said he is anticipating the trip and the festivities as well as the game. The players practice Dec. 30-Jan. 1 and attend an awards banquet the night of Jan. 1. The youth participants will be recognized during the high school game.

"He's hoping Colt McCoy will be there," Brad said. "(Graham senior) Case McCoy, his younger brother, is playing in the game and he's going to (the University of) Texas. There's another running back from a small 1A school who's going to Texas. He wants to see those guys because he'll see them on Saturday."

It has been an exciting year for Hunter, who played his first season of interscholastic football this past fall. The Offense-Defense camp in June was a memorable experience itself, featuring instruction from Kirksey, Texans running back Steve Slaton and former Dallas Cowboys standout offensive lineman Nate Newton, among others.

"That was cool because they're NFL players and they're really good," Hunter said. "They can teach you something."

While Newton brought a mix of intensity and humor to the camp, working with linemen, Hunter worked with the linebackers during position-specialized sessions. He plays running back on offense, but prefers defense.

"I've always played linebacker," he said. "I like linebacker way more."

Hunter is an experienced young player, having competed in football since age six and spending four seasons with the Tomball Patriots. At the Offense-Defense camp he accumulated new information and techniques, particularly shedding the blocks of opposing offensive players.

"That's why I liked it," Brad said. "They taught really good fundamentals. He's played Pee Wee for so many years, but you only get so much. He was able to apply it this year."

Hunter was a day camper at Prairie View A&M, working out from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with ample breaks between sessions in the June heat.

The camp included much of the Houston area's top youth and high school talent, some of whom were selected to play in the All-American Bowl. The 11-13 roster alone includes Keon Greene of Spring, Ryan Mullinnix of Conroe, Carter Lewis-Cox of The Woodlands and Irvin Green and Rodney Anderson of Katy.

"There were guys as young as seven all the way up to the high school ranks," Brad said of the June camp. "There were a lot of guys from Klein Oak, St. Pius. It was good to see the high school guys in it too. We saw a lot of great talent there and it was really fun."

Hunter will be part of another talented group this week as he represents Tomball in a national football showcase.