Carter Bradley Bio
Carter Roy Bradley (born March 9, 2000) is an American professional football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Toledo Rockets and South Alabama Jaguars before turning professional with the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. He is the son of longtime NFL assistant coach Gus Bradley.
Bradley has spent the early portion of his professional career moving between practice squads and active rosters across multiple organizations. He has built his resume on a strong college foundation that included record-setting passing numbers at South Alabama and earlier development in the Mid-American Conference at Toledo.
Early Life and Background
Carter Roy Bradley was born on March 9, 2000, in Fargo, North Dakota. Although he was born in the upper Midwest, he later relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he attended Providence School. His family ties to professional football came through his father, Gus Bradley, who has served as an NFL defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, including a stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Growing up around the game gave Bradley an early understanding of professional football operations. He became a three-star recruit coming out of Providence School, drawing scholarship offers from a wide range of programs, including Colorado State, East Carolina, FIU, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Indiana, Louisville, Ole Miss, Pitt, Rutgers, South Florida, Temple, West Virginia, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
After considering his options, Bradley committed to play college football at Toledo, choosing a Mid-American Conference program with a reputation for developing quarterbacks. His decision to attend Toledo over larger conference programs set the course for his early development as a passer.
Path to American Football
Bradley enrolled at Toledo and quickly found his way onto the field. As a true freshman, he appeared in three games and completed all three of his pass attempts for 52 yards. He then redshirted after suffering a torn labrum during a spring practice, an injury setback that delayed his first extended look as a starter.
During his redshirt freshman year, Bradley started the regular season finale and completed 15 of 23 passes for 121 yards. That limited starting opportunity was followed by a breakthrough 2020 season, in which he posted the third-highest passing efficiency in the Mid-American Conference at 164.1 and averaged 212.3 passing yards per game, the seventh-best mark in the league. He earned Academic All-MAC honors twice and was also nominated for Academic All-America recognition.
On November 29, 2021, Bradley announced his decision to enter the transfer portal, signaling the next step in his path toward higher-level competition.
Carter Bradley Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
On December 14, 2021, Bradley announced that he would be transferring to South Alabama, joining the Sun Belt Conference program for his final collegiate seasons. The move to South Alabama gave him an opportunity to take over a starting role and showcase his arm talent against a stronger slate of opponents.
In 2022, Bradley set South Alabama single-season records with 3,326 total passing yards, 276 completions, and 28 touchdowns. He was ranked 22nd nationally in passing touchdowns and 25th in passing yards, and was named to the Manning Star of the Week list following his Week 2 performance against Central Michigan. He also earned Second-team All-Sun Belt recognition for the 2022 season.
South Alabama Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Bradley’s 2022 campaign marked his emergence as one of the most productive passers in South Alabama history. His record-setting numbers at the position drew wider attention to the program and helped establish him as a legitimate professional prospect. He followed his record year with continued work as the Jaguars’ starting quarterback into the 2023 season, building on his efficiency and production.
On January 2, 2024, Bradley announced that he would be declaring for the 2024 NFL draft, capping his collegiate career at Toledo and South Alabama. His draft declaration came on the strength of his two-year body of work as a starter in the Sun Belt Conference.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–2025)
Bradley signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2024, beginning his professional career in the AFC West. He was waived on August 27, 2024, during roster cutdowns, but was quickly re-signed to the practice squad, keeping him within the organization.
On December 10, 2024, Bradley was promoted to the Raiders’ active roster, giving him his first regular-season action at the NFL level. His time in Las Vegas continued into 2025, but on July 14, 2025, he was waived by the Raiders, ending his initial stint as a professional.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025–Present)
After his release from Las Vegas, Bradley signed with the San Francisco 49ers on July 31, 2025. He was waived/injured on August 25, 2025, cutting short his time with the NFC West organization.
On September 30, 2025, Bradley was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad, returning to the city where he attended high school and reconnecting with the NFL organization that employs his father, Gus Bradley, in a coaching capacity. His current chapter in Jacksonville represents a return to familiar surroundings as he works to earn a larger role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bradley’s most significant milestone came in 2022, when he set South Alabama single-season records for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns while earning Second-team All-Sun Belt honors. His transition to the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by an active-roster promotion in December 2024, also stands as a notable early-career achievement.
Carter Bradley Career Wins
South Alabama Highlights
Bradley’s signature professional résumé is anchored by his record-setting 2022 season at South Alabama, where he set program single-season marks for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns. His production in 2022 helped him earn Manning Star of the Week recognition and Second-team All-Sun Belt honors for the year. He followed that season with continued starting duties before declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at Toledo, Bradley posted a strong 2020 campaign, finishing third in the Mid-American Conference in passing efficiency and seventh in passing yards per game, while earning Academic All-MAC honors twice. His steady professional development across the Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars organizations marks the latest stage of his career.
Carter Bradley Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Bradley is the son of Gus Bradley, a longtime NFL coach who has served as a defensive coordinator and assistant head coach across the league, including with the San Francisco 49ers. Growing up in a household shaped by professional football gave Carter an early window into the demands and structure of the sport at its highest level.
Personal Life
Bradley attended Providence School in Jacksonville, Florida, after being born in Fargo, North Dakota, and has built his professional football career across multiple organizations since going undrafted in 2024. He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 217 pounds, a frame well-suited to the quarterback position.
2025 Season Performance
Carter Bradley entered the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, who waived him on July 14, 2025, after training camp. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on July 31, 2025, in search of a depth role, but was waived/injured on August 25, 2025, ending his brief stint with the organization.
On September 30, 2025, Bradley was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad, marking his third NFL stop of the year and a return to the city where he attended high school. His role in Jacksonville is supported by his connection to his father, Gus Bradley, who is part of the coaching staff there.
Bradley will look to use his time on the Jaguars’ practice squad to continue developing his professional game and position himself for a potential promotion to the active roster as the 2025 season progresses.