California Area ATH Bradley Mickey Stays Home, Signs with Cal Poly San Louis Obispo

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Anytime a student-athlete moves on to the next level in any sport, their accomplishment should be acknowledged. For Arroyo Grande High School Class of 2016 do-everything athlete Bradley Mickey, the next level decision is a little sweeter than most getting the opportunity to essentially stay home for college opting to sign with Cal Poly San Louis Obispo over a chance to suit up for San Diego State.

Mickey had the best and worst of both worlds during his senior season. He tore it up again for the Eagles helping lead the squad to an 11-2 record stopped short in the third round of the California High School Playoffs by Thousand Oaks (40-35). The season all the way around was a success not only for Mickey but also for Arroyo Grande, but due to location, not being in the Bay area, Los Angeles, San Diego, or the likes, some of his season was overlooked on the bigger stage but the stats and honors speak volumes.

The 5’10.5”, 175 pound, talent rushed for a team-high 908 yards on just 87 totes with 13 touchdowns averaging 10.4 yards per carry. He also had a team-high 28 receptions for 520 yards with three additional scores and went 1 for 1 with the ball in his hands completing a 26-yard touchdown pass. Return yards, he had those covered as well with 149 on punts and 248 on kickoffs.

Where Mickey will more than likely make his mark at the Division-I FCS level is at safety. During his senior year he got the most recognition roaming the Eagles’ secondary coming up with 69 tackles, two tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, five passes defended, and six picks taking three back to the house! The postseason honors poured in earning first team All-CIF on defense, All-State Medium School, and third team All-State on defense while adding Pac-5 Co-MVP County Player of the Year and All-Area Player of the Year.

Still wondering why you have not heard about Bradley Mickey?

One can only imagine where his recruiting and national attention might have been with similar numbers playing in one of California’s bigger cities. As is, Cal Poly San Louis Obispo along with the Big Sky Conference are getting a steal and a winner with Mickey. Yet despite all of Mickey’s hard work, great stat lines, and accolades he still has a little bit more left to prove – not so much to himself but to the Mustangs.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Mickey after National Signing Day 2016 to get the inside story on his commitment to Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and an overall update on what he is up to during the football offseason.

Interview

Bradley, congratulations on your commitment to Cal Poly.

“Thank you.”

Down the backstretch of the recruiting process, what were the Top 2 schools you were trying to pick between?

“Cal Poly and San Diego State were my final two.”

What were the offers on the table from both programs?

“SDSU offered me as a preferred walk-on before the season began and Cal Poly offered me a partial scholarship.”

How does the partial scholarship work with Cal Poly? Is there an opportunity for you to get a full-ride?

“Yes. Basically the more you play the better chance they will give you a full-ride. You can get a bigger scholarship if you do well. I’m using it as an extra incentive to go in there and work as hard as I can.”

That’s great. I have no doubt you’ll earn your full-ride as soon as they can offer one to you. Walk me through the commitment process to Cal Poly. When did you commit?

“I committed the last day of my official visit, about two weeks before National Signing Day. That Sunday we went out to breakfast and then had meetings afterwards. I told them then I was ready to be a Mustang and I’m ready to work with them on winning games and championships.”

Who did you commit to on the Cal Poly staff?

“The head coach, Coach (Tim) Walsh.”

What was Coach Walsh’s reaction when you committed to the Mustangs?

“He was happy to get another Mustang. He was excited to keep a local guy. He was really excited for me and my family.”

How far is the San Louis Obispo campus from your home?

“About 20-30 minutes.”

Oh wow. That’s great.

“Yeah, I’m excited.”

What did you do to celebrate your commitment?

“I had a signing ceremony at my school. Family and friends came to the gym to watch me sign. One of my coaches took us out to lunch afterwards. The celebration was pretty much riends and family hanging out, it was really nice.”

How are your offseason workouts going?

“I’m in basketball right now so I have no time to get into the gym. We have one more week of basketball left. I’m ready to put some weight on and get in the gym.”

How much weight are you trying to put on before you report?

“The coaches want me at 180-185. I’ll go hard after basketball and see what happens.”

Within the scheme that Cal Poly runs, what position will you play once on campus?

“I’ll play free safety. I’m most familiar with free safety so that will be a good transition for me, but wherever they need me I’ll play. I’m flexible. I like bringing it at strong safety with a big hit on run plays too. I feel that I’m a good fit at free. We’ll see where they need me.”

How is basketball going for you?

“We’re doing alright. I’m the only senior, we’re young. We are battling for third place in our league. Wednesday night is senior night, one last home game in the gym. It will be a bittersweet ending.”

Do you know your stat line for the season in basketball?

“Not off the top of my head. I don’t know. In my last game I had 17, I’d say I’m averaging 10-12 points per game.”

Are you dropping dimes out there? How many assists and rebounds, steals that sort of thing are you getting?

“I’m more at about four assists per game. I’m a spot up shooter and a defensive guy. I’m pretty good in transition too.”

You’re doing all of this and you’re working part-time too right?

“Yes.”

Where are you working?

“I work at a local golf course on the weekends. I start at 5 a.m. and work to at least 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s nice and peaceful out there, plus I get free golf.”

I think it’s great that you are working part-time while playing sports and keeping your grades up. Have you started thinking about what you want to major in at Cal Poly?

“I’m majoring in Parks, Recreational, and Tours administration with a concentration on Sports Management. That is all under the same umbrella. I might switch to marketing. I’m not 100 percent sure yet.”

Bradley, again, congratulations on extending your playing career with San Louis Obispo and getting a scholarship. That is a big accomplishment. I’m very happy for you.

“Thank you.”

Good luck with Senior Night and with your offseason workouts before reporting to Cal Poly.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Raphotos; Bradley Mickey signing his letter of intent with Cal Poly San Louis Obispo.

Photo credit: sanluisobispo.com; Mickey at Cal Poly.

Photo credit: sanluisobispo.com; Mickey breaks free.