Idaho senior defensive end Quinton Bradley had a puzzled look on his face when asked about being on the Ted Hendricks Award Midseason Watch List. Bradley is one of 32 members on the list which recognizes the best defensive ends in the country – but Bradley didn’t know he was on the list.
“I work hard trying to be the best I can be and if people are noticing that then I’m happy,” Bradley said.
The San Antonio, Texas, native leads the Sun Belt Conference in tackles for loss and sacks.
Bradley said he only pays attention to stats when Idaho wins.
“When we lose I don’t pay attention to it, but when we win I want to see the stat sheet,” he said.
Bradley said his goals before the season started were to get 10 sacks this year and be a first-team Sun Belt selection.
“As far as being a leader, it’s something that we need up front as a defensive line and we need as a defense and as a team,” said Kenny Holmes, Idaho defensive line coach. “And I think in all three of those fields, he plays some part in being a leader and (it’s) not just lip service.”
Holmes said Bradley leads by example with his play on the field.
Hendricks played defensive end for Miami (Florida) in the 1960s while Holmes played for the Hurricanes in the 1990s.
“I actually was almost on the board to take the Ted Hendricks award,” Holmes said. “It’s funny to see that. I saw that on the email that he was on the watch list. I was like ‘Wow, that’s kind of crazy.’ Ted Hendricks is from Miami. I was almost on the board and I’m coaching a player on the list so that was pretty cool.”
Bradley has six sacks entering the New Mexico State game at 5 p.m. Saturday in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The Aggies are winless this season (0-7) and are coming off a 52-7 loss to Troy Saturday in Las Cruces. The Vandals beat the Trojans 19-16 Oct. 17 in Troy, Alabama.
Idaho (3-4 overall, 2-2 Sun Belt) is looking for its third straight win, which would put the Vandals at .500 overall.
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CabezaGarrett