The freshman have landed in the quaint Tucson airport, are making their way to the University of Arizona and the start of their new life on campus, but it is very hot this time of the year.
Watching game three of the NBA finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors is not the most opportune time to talk to a sports writer, but Orlando Bradford and I made it work.
We agreed that LeBron James is a “Freak of Nature” and crazy talented. That said, we both were pulling for the Golden State Warriors for the obvious reasons.
Orlando assured me he was going to the basketball games at the U of A, and yesterday he bumped into none other than fellow freshman Wildcat but basketball player, Chance Comanche. (note: most people look up to Chance)
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Branford is very happy to be in Tucson.
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I asked him what the difference is between Tucson and Shreveport Louisiana, he confessed, “I would say the heat it’s crazy hot out here and I have been here for a week.”
Arizona Wildcats
I didn’t have the heart to tell him that today the weather was in the 90’s but the coming week, the temperature was supposed to rise from 94 degrees to 105 degrees by the end of next week.
Orlando has plans on what he is going to work on during the summer, “Getting stronger and faster you are never good enough, I just want to work hard and be the best I can be.” He has put on some weight already, he is now 5’8 and 213 pounds.
He enjoys playing running back, “I just love doing the dirty work as a running back, it makes the game more interesting I want to do things other do not like.” His teammates are going to love him.
Shun Brown, Bradford’s high school teammate also committed to Arizona so he will have at least one familiar face around. That said, Orlando has other fellow Louisiana teammates: there’s Kendal Franklin and Antonio Parks. Shun and Orlando’s commitments were announced together on signing day.
Calvary's Orlando Bradford and Shun Brown say they are headed to Arizona. Congrats fellas #KSLASigningDay pic.twitter.com/98T6Uie2hR
— KSLA News 12 Sports (@KSLASports) February 4, 2015
So what was it that drove Orlando to decide to commit to the University of Arizona? He explained, “The fans and all the love the coaches showed me, it really felt like ‘the one’ since day one.”
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As far as what will motivate him in life and when he plays and prepares to play football for Arizona, “I’m family, they always remind me, and that’s why I do what I do.” He really isn’t trying to emulate any other famous running back, “I really just try to do my own thing I really don’t look up to anyone. I just try to be the best me that I can be.”
Orlando already has bragging rights in High School, winning back to back championships.
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Bradford’s pre-game ritual includes listening to Kevin Gates. When I went to research this talent to find out what songs Kevin Gates sings the first song I saw on the playlist was “I don’t get tired.” We all hope that’s the truth!
I asked Orlando which team he was looking forward to beating next season, for him, it’s not yet Arizona State, “USC all the way!” We are all with you Orlando, the Trojans and the Sun Devils! I thought that was a very insightful answer because the Trojans have an extremely high-ranking incoming freshman class, so he knows that would be a huge win.
Our man “Lando,” as his friends call him, is off to a great start and he feels right at home with his fellow freshman in Tucson. I asked him if he knew them before he got to school, “No not really, but when I got here, they all showed much love.”
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Orland Bradford, we wish you much success at the Univeristy of Arizona, and even though you don’t know the entire Bear Down song yet, I am sure you will be getting a 100% on the singing test because you are going to be winning a whole bunch of games!
BEAR DOWN LANDO!
You can follow Orlando on Twitter @OBradford7 and on Instagram @OrlandoBradford21, he will be wearing the number 21 for Arizona.
We’ll let his highlight video speak for itself when it comes to Orlando’s Running Back skills:
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