Bradley Bozeman Bio
Bradley Bozeman is an American former professional football center who spent eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Bozeman later played for the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Chargers, where he finished his career as a starting center. He earned two College Football Playoff national championships and was named Second-team All-SEC in 2017.
Listed at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and 325 lb (147 kg), Bozeman was known for his durability along the offensive line. Over the course of his NFL career, he appeared in 129 games and made 110 starts. He announced his retirement from professional football in February 2026.
Early Life and Background
Bradley Bozeman was born on November 24, 1994, in Roanoke, Alabama, in the United States. He grew up in his hometown and attended Handley High School in Roanoke, where he developed into a highly regarded offensive line prospect. His size and strength made him a natural fit for the trenches, and he earned recognition as a 4-star recruit.
Coming out of high school, Bozeman was a sought-after recruit at the offensive guard and center positions. He chose to play his college football at the University of Alabama over scholarship offers from Auburn, Clemson, and Tennessee. That decision set the foundation for one of the most decorated careers in Alabama’s recent history.
Path to American Football
Bozeman committed to Alabama in 2013 and quickly entered a pipeline that produced NFL-ready linemen. He redshirted his first year on campus, preserving a year of eligibility while learning the Crimson Tide’s offensive system. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, he played in nine games and started two, including contests against Arkansas and Texas A&M.
In 2015, Bozeman appeared in all 15 games as a reserve guard and center, gaining valuable experience across multiple positions. By 2016, he had earned a starting spot at center, taking over the role from Indianapolis Colts first-round pick Ryan Kelly. He started all 15 games that season, blocking for an offense that recorded 11 100-yard rushing games. In 2017, his teammates voted him team captain, and he anchored the line during Alabama’s run to the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. He was also named Second-team All-SEC for his redshirt senior season.
Bradley Bozeman Career
Early Career (2018)
Bozeman entered the NFL when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the sixth round, 215th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games and made one start at left guard against the New Orleans Saints. The limited role allowed him to adjust to the pace and complexity of professional football while learning from veteran linemen.
His development continued steadily in Baltimore. By his second season, Bozeman had earned the starting left guard job and held it through the 2019 and 2020 campaigns. In 2021, the Ravens asked him to move to center, and he made the transition successfully, locking down the starting role and demonstrating the kind of positional flexibility that has long defined offensive line play in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers Era (2022–2023)
On March 18, 2022, Bozeman signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, beginning a new chapter of his career. He took over as the team’s starting center and quickly became a steady presence in the middle of the offensive line. His experience and communication skills helped organize a young Panthers front.
On March 13, 2023, Bozeman signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with Carolina, a sign that the organization viewed him as a long-term building block. His time in Carolina ended on March 13, 2024, when the Panthers released him as part of a roster reset.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–2025)
On March 18, 2024, Bozeman signed with the Los Angeles Chargers and was immediately named the team’s starting center. He started all 17 games during the regular season, providing veteran stability to a revamped offensive line. On March 10, 2025, he signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension to remain in Los Angeles through the 2026 season.
During the 2025-26 NFL season, Bozeman started all 17 games at center, though he was graded as the lowest-ranked center among qualified players league-wide. Despite the statistical challenges, his leadership and durability remained valued inside the Chargers organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Bozeman was valued for his size, his calm communication at the line of scrimmage, and his ability to play multiple positions along the interior. His college background under Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama gave him a firm grasp of gap-scheme and zone-blocking concepts, and he adapted well to the Chargers’ offensive system. Coaches consistently praised his preparation and football intelligence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Bozeman’s career milestones are two College Football Playoff national championships in 2015 and 2017, a Second-team All-SEC selection in 2017, and 110 career NFL starts across the Ravens, Panthers, and Chargers. His 129 career games played reflect the durability that defined his professional tenure.
Bradley Bozeman Career Wins
Bradley Bozeman’s career cannot be measured in traditional win totals in the way a quarterback’s might, but his record of starts and team success tells its own story. He helped Alabama win back-to-back College Football Playoff national championships and served as a longtime starting lineman for three NFL franchises. Across the regular season and postseason, he appeared in 129 games and made 110 starts.
College Highlights
Bozeman won the College Football Playoff National Championship in both 2015 and 2017 as a starter on the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line. He was named Second-team All-SEC in 2017 and was elected team captain by his teammates for the season.
Other Performances
At the professional level, Bozeman’s consistency stood out. He started every game for the Ravens from 2019 through 2021, anchored the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line for two seasons, and started all 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers in both 2024 and 2025.
Bradley Bozeman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Bozeman was raised in Roanoke, Alabama, where he became a standout high school football player at Handley High School. His family supported his athletic development, and the small-town Alabama community played a key role in his early football journey.
Personal Life
Bradley Bozeman is married to Nikki Hegstetter, a former Alabama basketball player. He proposed to her in 2018 after the College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia, and the couple married on March 23, 2019. During the 2019 NFL season, Bozeman and Nikki famously lived full-time in an RV, a choice that saved them roughly $1,800 a month in rent and later led to cross-country travel paired with anti-bullying school presentations. In 2018, the couple founded the Bradley & Nikki Bozeman Foundation, which focuses on at-risk children and educates families about the dangers of childhood bullying.
2025 Season Performance
Bradley Bozeman entered the 2025 NFL season as the starting center for the Los Angeles Chargers after signing a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension in March 2025. He started all 17 regular-season games, providing a veteran anchor in the middle of the offensive line and helping coordinate protection calls for the team’s quarterbacks. His leadership and experience remained central to the Chargers’ offensive identity throughout the year.
Despite his steady presence, Bozeman was graded as the lowest-ranked center among qualified players during the 2025-26 NFL season, reflecting the challenges of the unit as a whole. The Chargers continued to lean on his communication and toughness as they evaluated the offensive line heading into the following offseason.
On February 23, 2026, Bozeman announced his retirement from the NFL, closing an eight-year professional career that included 110 starts across three franchises. His departure marked the end of an era defined by durability, versatility, and quiet leadership at the center position.
