Bradley played just one season of football as a junior at Highland High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, due to injuries, starting at safety.

He also starred in rugby and won 3 straight national championships with the Highland Club in Salt Lake City.

Bradley was a three-year starter at the University of Nebraska as a strong-side linebacker and in 43 games, registered 175 tackles, 25 TFLs, 4 sacks, 3 FFs, 4 FRs, and 1 INT, which he returned 43-yds for a touchdown.

In 2003, he appeared in all thirteen games as a reserve left defensive end, moving to that position after playing at middle linebacker in preseason camp.

He made the move to strong-side linebacker in 2004 and finished 2nd on the team with 67 tackles after serving as a reserve defensive end the previous two seasons.

He missed most of the 2005 campaign with torn ACL in left knee but finished with 26 tackles (11 solos), three sacks and five stops for losses and added seven quarterback pressures and returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown.