Three games into Georgia’s 2011 campaign and it’s already been a big year for junior receiver Taylor Bradberry.
After joining the team three seasons ago, Bradberry was one of eight walk-ons to receive a scholarship this summer by coach Mark Richt, and he caught his first collegiate pass late in the first quarter of the Bulldogs’ 59-0 victory over Coastal Carolina.
“Some parts (of what’s happened) I can’t believe, but it’s exciting,” said Bradberry, who caught a 13-yard pass from Aaron Murray. “I hope more good things are yet to come. … It came quick. I went in there and they called the play and the ball came up on me and I just tried to do the best I could. It was exciting after that, knowing I’d finally got my first catch after a lot of hard work and a lot of time spent in this (Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall) building.”
Richt, who likes to work in seldom-used players who practice well, said the 6-foot-3, 192-pound Bradberry is a consistent hand who could work his way into more playing time.
“Taylor is one of those guys who is quietly learning the system and getting stronger, faster and tougher,” said Richt, whose team plays at 12:20 p.m. today at Ole Miss. “He’s becoming more and more reliable making plays in practice and everybody feels like this guy can play in the Southeastern Conference and he can help us win.
“Part of the reason he got a scholarship is because of production. We have no fear putting him in the ballgame, any given week. If he’s one of our top six receivers, he’ll get his opportunity. And with Marlon (Brown) probably questionable to doubtful (this weekend), it helps Bradberry’s cause to be on the travel team and get in the ballgame this week.”
An All-Northeast Georgia selection during his days at Winder-Barrow, Bradberry said he had no concrete offers to play college football, so he followed his heart to Athens.
“Some schools wanted me to walk on, and then this opportunity came up and I couldn’t pass it up,” he said. “I grew up a Bulldog fan. My family has had season tickets since I was 7 and I’ve been coming to games on and off since I was 4. Every year I came to games — I just loved the Dawgs.”
Bradberry — who has played a few snaps in his career and has worked on special teams this fall — has earned respect from his teammates for his sure hands and composed personality.
“He got a catch on Saturday and almost had another catch,” Murray said. “He’s a kid who knows what he’s doing out there and makes plays. He probably has some of the best hands on the team, actually. Everyone always jokes, but it’s not a joke — he really has the best hands on the team. It’s great to see him get some playing time and going out there and making a catch. He’s earned (the scholarship). He’s looked great in practice and he’s got the label of never dropping anything. “
“I was happy for him,” added Orson Charles, who has caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns this season. “Bradberry has some of the best hands on the team, but he probably doesn’t have the receiver speed that most people want.
“But in my book, if he was on my team, he would play because everything that’s thrown his way he catches. He always has a cool, relaxed attitude that I love. I was really happy for him when he got a scholarship and happy for him when he got to play in Sanford Stadium and get his first catch.”
Bradberry was also an outstanding baseball player at Winder-Barrow and admits it’s been a hard transition to step away from the diamond.
“I do miss baseball,” he said. “I catch games here and I miss it every time I watch. One of my good friends is (Georgia pitcher) Tyler Maloof. He’s from Winder and he plays on the baseball team and I keep up with it through him. We kind of feed off each other, because he doesn’t play football anymore and I don’t play baseball anymore. It’s kind of cool. We stay in touch and keep up with each other’s teams.”
As a longtime walk-on, Bradberry admitted that there have been plenty of days when he questioned his decision to continue playing football, but in the end, donning the red and black makes it all worthwhile.
“There are off days — I’m sure everybody has them,” he said. “But you just think about why you love to play and why you’re here. This is a dream come true. I’ve wanted this all my life, and so to think, ‘Where else would I want to be?’ I don’t know … It’s a good feeling to be here. (Playing for Georgia) has been more than I ever thought it would be. I never thought I’d be here like this. It’s really exciting.”

Georgia wide receiver Taylor Bradberry made his first career reception last Saturday against Coastal Carolina.