Q&A with UNLV’s Bradley Randle
Bradley Randle could be frustrated as he waits to make the impact expected when the highly rated running back signed with UNLV last year.
But Randle, who played at Vista Murrieta (Calif.) High School, is energized to show in the spring what he can do when healthy. After redshirting last year, neck and shoulder injuries relegated him to kick return duty this football season.
The son of former longtime major leaguer Lenny Randle, he also is considering playing baseball for UNLV and is looking for different ways to give back to his adopted city.
Randle, whose Rebels (1-8, 1-4 Mountain West Conference) play Wyoming (2-8, 0-6) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium, spoke to the Review-Journal.
1. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE?
I was raised in a family where people help out all the time. It’s fun for me to do it to see smiles on people’s faces. (After the football season), I’ll probably be involved in a Big Brother type system with an elementary school. I want to bring the whole community together to help people who don’t have the opportunities that (other) people have.
2. HAS IT BEEN DIFFICULT TO ADOPT LAS VEGAS AS HOME?
The people out here are beautiful. Some of the fans are crazy, but crazy fans are cool. I think they’re just like the Raider fans. We’ve got to have a Rebel end zone like the Raiders — The Red Hole.
3. EVEN THOUGH YOUR DAD’S PLAYING CAREER ENDED IN 1982, EIGHT YEARS BEFORE YOU WERE BORN, WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN A BASEBALL HOUSEHOLD?
It was fantastic. I got a chance to meet Ken Griffey Jr., his father, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez … so many celebrities. He’s still involved with (baseball) to this day. He thinks he’s 18 years old.
4. DO YOU PLAN TO PLAY BASEBALL AT UNLV?
It’s still in my blood. I miss it a lot. I didn’t play that much in high school. I had a lot of schools come after me, but I stuck with football because I get the thrill from the crowd. I talked to my dad, and he did the thing at Arizona (State) — football and baseball — and they balanced it out. He told me to give it a shot and see what happens, so I’m ready to do that.
5. IN ADDITION TO FOOTBALL, WEREN’T YOU ALSO RECRUITED TO PLAY BASEBALL?
Long Beach, Cal State Fullerton, Pepperdine looked at me, as did the Padres, the Cardinals. They said I had a lot of potential. At that time, I was 16, 17. I chose this route (football), but I still have time to get over to that diamond.
6. YOU HAD SOME GOOD FOOTBALL PROGRAMS RECRUITING YOU, TOO. WHAT WAS IT ABOUT UNLV YOU LIKED?
I’m a family person. It’s not too close to home and not too far away. Whenever I miss my mom or my dad or need somebody else, they can come see me.
7. DID THE COACHING CHANGE SO QUICKLY AFTER YOU CAME HERE EVER CAUSE YOU TO HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS?
I was kind of disappointed. Life changes every day, every second, so you’ve got to roll with the punches and see where you can go with it.
8. HOW HAS BEING INJURED STIFLED YOUR PROGRESS AS A RUNNING BACK?
I can’t really hit or block that well. If I get hit, my shoulder will probably be kind of tender.
9. ARE YOU BUMMED OUT ABOUT JUST RETURNING KICKS?
It’s not that bad. I get in when I can and try to help the team. I’m not really down about the first, second, third string or anything like that. It’s rebuilding right now and getting back on track with the new coaching staff and everybody digging in and trying to believe.
10. DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE MUCH TO PROVE?
I know I have a lot to prove. I’m going to come out with a bang (in spring practice). I know I have a lot of questions that need to be answered, and I’ll be ready to answer them.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
