James Bradberry

James Bradberry IV (born August 4, 1993) is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Samford Bulldogs and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Bradberry has also been a member of the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.

Bradberry was born in August 1993 in Pleasant Grove, Alabama to Rosie and James Bradberry Sr.. He was a three-year varsity letterman as a member of Pleasant Grove High's Spartans football team. As a member of the Spartans, Bradberry played cornerback and safety positions. At a height of 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and weighing 180 pounds (82 kg), Bradberry was a two-sport athlete, playing varsity basketball. In 2010, during his senior season in football, Bradberry made nine interceptions and 45 tackles. He also earned all-metro and first team all-state honors. While part of the Spartans, Bradberry also served as team captain. Bradberry was also part of the National Honor Society. Rated a two-star recruiting prospect,

Upon graduating from Pleasant Grove in 2010, Bradberry enrolled at Arkansas State University on June 30, 2011. Bradberry was assigned as a defensive back both in his freshman season in 2011 and the 2012 season during which he redshirted.

Bradberry transferred to Samford University where he joined the Bulldogs for the 2012 season. He played as a starting cornerback for all 11 games. His debut season totals included 32 tackles, including 22 solo stops and two interceptions. This performance named Bradberry to the 2012 Southern Conference All-Freshman team. Bradberry returned to start in 12 of the 13 games of the 2013 season in which he totaled 26 tackles, 17 solo stops, two interceptions 10 pass break-ups. In the 2014 season, Bradberry started in all 11 games, finishing the season with 25 tackles and 22 solo stops. He went on to redshirt his senior season in 2015. While at Samford, Bradberry majored in sports administration.

The Carolina Panthers selected Bradberry in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. He was the tenth cornerback selected in 2016. He was the first of three cornerbacks drafted by the Panthers in 2016, in a trio that included third-round pick (77th overall) Daryl Worley and fifth-round pick (141st overall) Zack Sanchez. He became only the seventh player to be drafted from Samford since 1967 and was the fourth out of the last five drafts (2012–2016). Other Samford alumni drafted include Jaquiski Tartt (2015) and Cortland Finnegan (2006).

On May 10, 2016, the Carolina Panthers signed Bradberry to a four–year, US$3.96 million rookie contract that included $1.70 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $1.08 million.

During training camp, Bradberry competed against Robert McClain, Sanchez, Leonard Johnson, and Daryl Worley for a job as a starting cornerback following the release of Josh Norman. Head coach Ron Rivera named Bradberry and veteran Bené Benwikere as the starting cornerbacks to start the regular season.

On September 8, Bradberry made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Carolina Panthers' season-opener at the Denver Broncos and made six combined tackles (five solo) and a pass deflection in a 21–20 loss. He made his first career tackle on running back C. J. Anderson during the first drive of the game. On September 18, Bradberry made two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Blaine Gabbert to wide receiver Torrey Smith during a 46–27 victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. On October 2, he made two solo tackles before exiting the Panthers' 48–33 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter with an injury. Bené Benwikere and rookie Daryl Worley gave up over 300 receiving yards to Julio Jones in Bradberry's absence. On October 7, the Carolina Panthers released starting cornerback Benwikere in response to the secondary's embarrassing performance, subsequently making Bradberry the No. 1 starting cornerback alongside fellow rookie Daryl Worley. He was inactive for the next three games (Weeks 5–8) due to a severe case of turf toe he sustained during the loss to the Falcons. In Week 13, Bradberry collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) and broke up a pass during a 40–7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. On January 1, 2017, Bradberry made six solo tackles, a season-high two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Jameis Winston to Adam Humphries during a 17–16 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished his rookie season with 59 combined tackles (47 solo), ten pass deflections, and two interceptions in 13 games and 13 starts. Bradberry graded out as the top ranked rookie cornerback and the Panthers' top defensive back by PFF.