Brian Kelly opens up on decision to give Tre Bradford a second chance at LSU

LSU running back Tre Bradford has had an up and down college football career with one more shot at making it count here in 2023. He’s played sparsely and had off-field issues derail his last two years, missing all of the 2022 season due to a shoplifting incident. He was even removed from the roster. However, now he’s back on the team and trying to finally make his mark with the Tigers.

As for why he was allowed back on the team after his previous mistakes, LSU head coach Brian Kelly said that he’s willing to give somebody a second chance but only if they prove they deserve it. And he added that Bradford took it upon himself to make the necessary strides to get back in good standing with both the football team and the school — so everyone is looking forward to a successful year on and off the field for Bradford.

“The thought process was just giving a man another chance,” Kelly said. “He had a long road back. He had to get back into school on his own, we didn’t help him. He had to do everything and do it on his own.

“We told him, look, we’re open to second chances here, but this one is on you. You have to prove yourself to the University,” Kelly continued. “And it’s going to be up to the University to decide whether or not they want to re-enroll you. We’re not making any calls, we’re not writing any letters.

“If you understand what the guidelines are, and you come here this summer, and our strength coaches sign off on you that you have done everything to warrant an opportunity, then we’ll invite you to camp. And both of those things happened, so he earned a second chance.”

Bradford was arrested for shoplifting on Dec. 22, 2020 and was declared ineligible to play football in the middle of the following season in 2021. He also dealt with a hamstring injury that year and struggled to get on the field.

As a freshman with the LSU Tigers, he rushed 10 times for 58 yards, adding a touchdown and a reception in five games of action. According to the On3 Consensus Rankings, he was rated as the No. 18 running back in America for the 2020 recruiting cycle. In the state of Texas, he was rated as the No. 24 prospect in the state.

Coming out of high school, Tre Bradford chose LSU over offers from Texas, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas State, Texas Tech, USC, Ohio State, and others.