Brad Cochran

Bradley "Brad" Cochran (born June 17, 1963) is a former American football player. He played college football as a defensive back for the University of Michigan from 1981 to 1985. As a senior, Cochran was recognized as a consensus first-team defensive back on the 1985 College Football All-America Team. He also received the 1985 Toyota Leadership Award. He signed to play professional football with the Oakland Raiders, but injured his back during the preseason of his rookie year, ending his football career.

Early years

Cochran was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, in approximately 1963. He attended Brother Rice High School in Birmingham, Michigan.

University of Michigan

Cochran enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1981 and played college football as an inside linebacker for head coach Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1981 to 1985. Cochran left the Michigan team early in his career after "screaming uncontrollably" at coach Schembechler for perceived injustices. He was diagnosed with severe depression caused by a hormonal imbalance that was subsequently treated with medication. He briefly transferred to the University of Colorado, but he returned to his home in Royal Oak after several weeks in Colorado. In June 1983, Michigan assistant coach Lloyd Carr contacted Cochran and invited him to return to the University of Michigan.