Bradshaw adapts to college offensive line

Dylan Bradshaw has been adjusting to college football since he stepped onto the Troy University campus as a member of the Trojans' football team.

"I got here in the summer," Bradshaw said. "Strength and conditioning wise the first two weeks took a little time getting used to it…but then everything turned into a grind. Then we started fall camp. I think the biggest difference is everything’s bigger and faster."

The freshman has adapted well to the college ranks, and Troy offensive line coach Matt Moore said has taken note of the improvement.

"Sometimes, as a true freshman offensive lineman, it’s like drinking out of a firehose," he said. "You’re really thirsty, but all of the sudden there’s so much going in there you can’t swallow. That’s kind of what it was for him early on. He’s starting to understand it. He’s starting to slow down a little bit."

For his part, the freshman feels up to the challenge of playing on a college line thanks to his time at Enterprise High School.

"Enterprise has prepared me great for it, Coach (David) Faulkner and his staff," Bradshaw said. "I couldn’t have asked for any better preparation for it. Coming up here, I feel like I’ve done well with what Coach Faulkner and (his staff) gave me."

Because Bradshaw played for Faulkner at Enterprise, Moore knew the type of player the freshman lineman was when he recruited him to Troy.

"The big thing when I signed Dylan was I knew I was getting a (player who) was tough, and I knew I was getting a (player who) loved to play," he said. "I knew coming from Enterprise, coming from Coach Faulkner who I’ve known for a long time and Buck Hanson who I’ve known for a long time, I knew I was getting a (player who) was going to know the game. You knew you were getting those three things and a good person. That’s what you’re looking for in a center." 

From the time Bradshaw got to Troy, one characteristic has stood out the most to the Trojans' coach.

"What I appreciate probably the most about him, he’s got a toughness about him," Brown said. "He loves to play. He competes hard. I think Coach Moore and I have got to remind ourselves, he’s never played center before, really. When you start playing with your head between your legs, it’s a little different. He’s learning that position, snapping and all of the things (with) making the calls. That’s tough for a true freshman. He’s getting better every day. He’s a kid (who’s) going to play a lot of football here and be a really good player."

Bradshaw was a versatile player on the Wildcats' offensive line, and Moore said he had a familiarity with the calls Troy's center is required to make.

"Coach Faulkner and I were at Hoover together for three years, and we ran this offense," he said. "I was the offensive coordinator, and he was my quarterbacks coach. That was the good thing with Dylan, I knew a lot of our calls are the same. A lot of our protections are the same. A lot of our run game is the same so it was really a good transition for him compared to a kid (who) comes in from running a triple option. It’s a good transition for him."

The transition has gone well, but the freshman knows things aren't perfect.

"I think I’ve got a few technique things I need to clean up, but I’m getting to where I know the playbook almost 100 percent," Bradshaw said. "I’m just focusing on improving every day, getting better."

The lineman's technique is getting sharper as well.

"It’s so different when you come from high school to college," Moore said. "Every snap’s got to be your best. Sometimes when you’re in high school, you can get away with doing some technical things wrong. He’s starting to learn he’s got to use good technique all of the time. I think his transition’s been really good."

During one of Troy's fall scrimmages, Bradshaw ran with the second offensive line every snap and he has also soaked up advice from older players.

"They’ve taught me a lot of really good lessons," he said. "Tyler Lassiter and Antonio Garcia, those are what you call veterans. They’ve started year after year here. Every guy on the offensive line has just really been welcoming, brought us under their wings and showed us new tricks. We all hang out. We have a good time. We have good team chemistry on the offensive line."

Troy begins its season Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. against Austin Peay at home in Veterans Memorial Stadium, and the Trojans' coaches had a plan for Bradshaw leading up to the opener.

"The biggest thing is just let him keep getting reps," Moore said. "Just let him keep getting better and better."