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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HOOVER – One of the county’s biggest stars has officially made his college decision ahead of his final two years at Spain Park.

Jags quarterback Brock Bradley announced his commitment to play football at Clemson University on social media on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

The junior announced he had received an offer from Dabo Swinney and the Tigers on Thursday, Aug. 15 ahead of his commitment just under a week later.

Bradley thanked his family, coaches, trainers and teachers in his announcement post.

“The opportunity to play football at a university like Clemson is one that I will not take lightly, and I will work hard every day to earn the trust and support of everyone that is a part of the Clemson family,” Bradley said.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound signal caller had a massive first year as a starter in 2023, throwing for 1,845 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 60 percent completion rate while giving up just four interceptions as a sophomore facing Class 7A, Region 3 competition.

As a result, Bradley was named an All-State Honorable Mention for Class 7A as well as an All-County Second Team selection.

He is currently rated as a three-star by 247Sports and also had 15 total offers, including Power Four offers from Texas A&M, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Cincinnati.

Once Bradley steps foot on Clemson’s campus, he will be the next in line of a rich lineage of Shelby County talent at the institution.

Swinney himself is a native of the area, growing up in Pelham while lettering in three sports at Pelham High School ahead of his graduation in 1988. The school retired his jersey at a football game in 2019.

Bradley will also join a quarterback room that includes former Briarwood Christian quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who also counts former Lions offensive lineman Trent Howard as one of his teammates.

Clemson also features a former Shelby County Player of the Year in sophomore defensive lineman Peter Woods. The Thompson alum was a Freshman All-American last season with 27 tackles and a forced fumble in 12 starts for the Tigers.

In all, Clemson currently has five players from Shelby County on its roster including freshman linebacker Joseph Roberto of Helena and junior kicker Hogan Morton of Oak Mountain.

Bradley will kick off his senior season on Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at Spain Park High School against Sparkman.