Next up for Fletcher: pro day in Iowa

By Joe Scalzo

His breakthrough college season was last fall when he was honorable-mention Big Ten. He also did well in postseason.

For the first time in 17 years, Bradley Fletcher didn’t spent his winter months inside a classroom.

Instead, he’s been preparing for the biggest tests of his life.

Fresh off a successful career at cornerback for the University of Iowa, the Liberty High graduate built on a strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game in January with a solid showing at last month’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Up next: Iowa’s pro day on Monday, where he’ll perform in front of a host of NFL scouts in hopes of raising his stock for next month’s draft.

“I always dreamed of being able to play in the NFL,” said Fletcher last week by phone from Iowa. “Since I got to college and got the opportunity to play here in Iowa, I’ve just been trying to grasp it.

“I’m trying to get there. I’m still working toward that.”

Fletcher projects as a late-round pick, most likely at safety, and could become the first Liberty graduate to play in the NFL.

Seven area players were drafted over the past two years, but Fletcher could be the only Mahoning Valley native selected in next month’s draft. He was the only player with area ties invited to last month’s combine.

After a standout career with the Leopards in both football and basketball, Fletcher redshirted his first year at Iowa and spent his sophomore and junior years as a part-time starter.

He broke through full-time last fall, earning honorable mention all-Big Ten with 60 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes broken up. His best performance came in the Outback Bowl against South Carolina, where he had four solo tackles, a forced fumble and an interception in the end zone.

Fletcher then impressed scouts in the East-West game and many felt he was the best defensive back in the game.

At the combine, he was one of the top performers at his position with a 38 1/2-inch vertical jump — no surprise to anyone who saw him play basketball — and said he also ran a 4.47 40-yard dash with 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

“It was a good experience,” he said. “I knew how important it was going into it, being in that situation in front of coaches and scouts.

“It’s a long four days, but they want to know the ins and outs of every player prospect.”

Fletcher said he’ll compete in several drills at Monday’s pro day, including the three-cone drill, the shuttle runs and the 40-yard dash.

Although he played cornerback in college, scouts feel he’d be better suited for safety in the NFL.

Fletcher grew up in Cleveland and likely would have attended either Cleveland Collinwood or Cleveland Glenville had he stayed there. Instead, he moved to Youngstown just before eighth grade and was one of the first breakout prospects for Coach Jeff Whittaker.

Over the past few years, the Leopards have sent a number of players to Division I schools, including two Michigan prospects this year (Fitzgerald Toussaint, Isaiah Bell) and another junior (Antonio Kinard) who recently committed to the Wolverines. Bradley’s younger brother, Donovan, is a safety at Ohio.

Fletcher graduated last May with a degree in health and sports studies and added a minor in African-American studies last fall.

He’s focused full-time on football these days and is just hoping for the chance to keep playing.

“It’s nice to just think about football and not have the obligation of school,” he said. “I’m just working and waiting to see what happens next month.”

scalzo@vindy.com