Stanford Tight End Bradley Archer Transfers To Indiana

After four seasons at Stanford, tight end Bradley Archer is transferring to Indiana.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana created depth in its tight end room with the addition of Stanford transfer Bradley Archer.

Archer announced his decision Friday night on Twitter.

"Excited to announce I will be graduate transferring to Indiana University to continue my academic and football careers!" Archer wrote. "Extremely grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get to work. #LEO"

Tight end Bradley Archer (87) during Stanford's game against USC / Stanford Athletics

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound tight end played four seasons at Stanford, catching four passes for 32 yards. As a freshman in 2019, Archer appeared in two games to redshirt and retain a year of eligibility. He played in four games as a sophomore in 2020.

Archer's role increased as a junior in 2021, appearing in 11 games with four starts. He caught three passes for 32 yards, hauling in receptions against No. 24 UCLA, No. 3 Oregon and California. He played in 11 games in 2022 but did not catch any passes.

Following spring practice on April 15 Indiana coach Tom Allen anticipated adding a veteran tight end through the transfer portal due to the position group's inexperience. 

"We've got a very, very young room," Allen said. "Sam West is a guy that's really kind of been a pleasant surprise. He's had a really, really good spring and was up for potentially most improved, as well. Once we get Trey [Walker] back and get those older guys back that are dinged up right now, it's going to be a group that's going to be by committee, without question ... Brody Foley is one that hasn't gotten near as many reps. He's practicing in a blue jersey, he can do anything from skelly all the way down. He didn't do anything more than that physically. He's 250-plus pounds, he can move, he's got good ball skills, so he's a guy we need to bring along this summer and spring. What's going to be key for us up front is having a guy like him that can do both things."

With AJ Barner transferring to Michigan, Allen expects redshirt sophomores Aaron Steinfeldt and James Bomba, both Bloomington natives, to help lead the room. Steinfeldt caught six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, and Bomba appeared in nine games, primarily for blocking purposes.

"Aaron was one of our most improved players [this spring]," Allen said. "It was pretty obvious. I will say this, I think having to go against Andre Carter every single day, he would admit it, sometimes there were some long days for Aaron having to go against him physically, but it's helped him a lot. He's grown a lot, gotten way more physical, his hand placement. He's always had good ball skills, and he's had a really good spring for us, just to got continue that in the summer."

"Bomba is going to do a great job for us," Allen said. "He was out – had a postseason surgery – but he'll be back full bore here this summer. He also provides tremendous leadership for us."

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