Millard Bradford Bio
Millard Bradford, born on September 24, 1999, in Helotes, Texas, is an American professional football safety currently competing in the National Football League. He rose to prominence as a defensive back at Texas Christian University, where he was part of the TCU Horned Frogs team that reached the national championship game in 2022. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and later joined the Chicago Bears, where he continues his professional career.
Standing at 178 centimeters and weighing approximately 87 kilograms, Bradford has built his reputation on disciplined tackling, reliable coverage, and football intelligence developed across both high school and collegiate programs. He remains an active professional entering the 2025 NFL season.
Early Life and Background
Millard Bradford was born on September 24, 1999, and grew up in Helotes, Texas, a suburb of San Antonio. He attended Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Helotes, where he began his football journey as a defensive back. His performance during his high school years earned him additional opportunities to develop his game at a higher level.
Following his time at Sandra Day O’Connor, Bradford spent a postgraduate year at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, continuing to play football as a defensive back. The structured environment of Fork Union, combined with daily competition against top-tier prep talent, allowed him to refine his technique and earn recognition from major college programs.
After completing his postgraduate year, Bradford committed to Texas Christian University, choosing the TCU Horned Frogs as the next step in his football career. His path from Texas to Virginia and back to the Big 12 Conference reflected both his dedication to the sport and the steady progression of his athletic development.
Path to American Football
Bradford’s progression through high school and prep school provided a clear pathway into Division I college football. His time at Sandra Day O’Connor High School and Fork Union Military Academy gave him exposure to competitive schemes and prepared him for the demands of major conference play. By the time he arrived at Texas Christian University, he had already established himself as a versatile defensive back with a reputation for physical play.
His commitment to TCU marked the beginning of his collegiate career with the Horned Frogs, a program that would give him a national stage. He signed with the program and immediately began competing for snaps in the defensive secondary.
Bradford’s college path led him through five seasons of development, including appearances in the Big 12 and later the Big 12 Championship Game, culminating in an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. That invitation solidified his status as a draft-eligible prospect entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
Millard Bradford Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Millard Bradford appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman at TCU during the 2019 season, totaling 23 tackles. His early contributions demonstrated his ability to step into a collegiate defensive rotation immediately, providing the Horned Frogs with dependable depth in the secondary.
In 2020, Bradford appeared in 10 games and recorded 44 tackles along with 6.5 tackles-for-loss. The following season, in 2021, he played in 11 games, starting eight, and finished fourth on the team with 52 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. His steady statistical growth signaled his emergence as a key contributor in the Horned Frogs defensive scheme.
TCU Horned Frogs Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season marked a defining chapter in Bradford’s college career. He started all 12 games and finished fifth on the team with 58 tackles while also recording eight pass breakups. As a starter in the secondary, he helped lead the TCU Horned Frogs to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, capping a remarkable run for the program.
That same year, Bradford earned an honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference selection, recognizing his performance against top-tier opponents. His eight pass breakups highlighted his coverage skills and his ability to disrupt opposing passing attacks throughout the season.
Bradford returned for a fifth and final season at TCU in 2023, where he recorded 54 tackles, six passes defended, and two interceptions. He again received honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference honors and was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine at the conclusion of his collegiate career. His two interceptions during his final season demonstrated his continued development as a ball-hawking safety capable of creating turnovers.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024–2025)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Millard Bradford signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was waived by the Saints on August 27, 2024, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day, demonstrating the organization’s continued interest in his development.
Bradford was signed off the practice squad to the active roster on November 2, prior to the team’s Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers. He was waived on November 30 and re-signed to the practice squad four days later, navigating the typical transitions of an undrafted rookie trying to establish himself in the league.
On January 6, 2025, Bradford signed a reserve/future contract with New Orleans. On May 12, he was waived by the Saints, concluding his initial stint with the franchise.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On August 12, 2025, Millard Bradford signed with the Chicago Bears. His signing provided him with another opportunity to compete for a roster spot and continue his professional development in a new defensive system. He was waived by the Bears on August 25, 2025, part of the standard late-preseason roster evaluation process.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Millard Bradford’s career to date was his contribution to the TCU Horned Frogs’ appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2022. Starting all 12 games that season, he helped lead one of college football’s most surprising title runs. He also earned consecutive honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference selections in 2022 and 2023, and was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, marking him as one of the top undrafted defensive back prospects of his class.
Millard Bradford Career Wins
While individual game statistics dominate Bradford’s professional profile, his most celebrated team victory came during the 2022 college season, when the TCU Horned Frogs advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship. His career has been built on consistent tackling, coverage discipline, and the ability to contribute across multiple defensive schemes rather than headline individual win totals.
Millard Bradford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Millard Bradford was raised in Helotes, Texas, and developed his athletic foundation in the surrounding community. Public details about his immediate family remain limited, with no widely verified information available about his parents or siblings at this time.
Personal Life
Bradford has kept his personal life largely private throughout his early professional career. There is no publicly verified information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. His focus during his transition from college football to the NFL has centered on training, team commitments, and establishing himself as a reliable defensive back at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
Millard Bradford entered the 2025 NFL calendar as a member of the New Orleans Saints, having signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 6, 2025. He was waived on May 12, 2025, but quickly attracted interest from other organizations seeking depth in the secondary.
On August 12, 2025, Bradford signed with the Chicago Bears, joining the franchise for training camp and preseason preparation. He was waived by the Bears on August 25, 2025, as part of the league’s late-summer roster trimming process.
Looking ahead, Bradford remains an active professional safety with eligibility to sign with NFL teams and continue competing at the highest level. His combination of special teams experience, Big 12 pedigree, and Combine-level measurables position him as a candidate for future opportunities in the league.
