2025 UDFA Signs with the Cleveland Browns
On August 18th, 2025, the Cleveland Browns announced they are signing former Texas Longhorn Isaiah Bond to a three-year deal. Bond initially reported the news of his signing to Cleveland on August 14th, just hours after a Collin County grand jury returned a “no bill” verdict, indicating that there will be no indictment issued in the sexual assault case against Bond that led to his arrest in April before the 2025 NFL Draft. In a statement provided to CBS News Texas, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said, “This concludes the criminal proceedings in this matter.” In Bond’s statement, he addresses the privilege to play in the NFL, “stands firm” in continuing to maintain his innocence, and “will not discuss the details of the case.”
Isaiah Bond began his college career at Alabama, playing in two seasons, recording 888 receiving yards at 13.7 yards per catch. Bond’s most memorable play with the Crimson Tide was the 4th and goal touchdown from the 31-yard line, dubbed “The Grave Digger” during the 2023 Iron Bowl. Down four with less than a minute left, Jalen Milroe dropped back and heaved a prayer to the back corner of the endzone where Bond came down with the ball, giving Alabama the lead and very soon after, a 27-24 win over the Auburn Tigers. The 2023 Crimson Tide would go on and lose the CFB semifinal to Michigan in overtime. After the 2023 season, long-time Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, leading Bond to enter the transfer portal and play for the Texas Longhorns.
In his lone year with the Longhorns, Bond recorded 34 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns. His yards per reception statistic was a career high at 15.9 yards per reception. Bond declared for the 2025 NFL Draft in January of 2025. Bond claimed that he would break Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard dash record of 4.21 seconds, but missed the mark with a still impressive 4.35 time. Bond had a warrant for his arrest issued for sexual assault weeks before the draft, which destroyed his stock. Bond turned himself in, maintained his innocence, and was eventually given a “no-bill” verdict, absolving him of any criminal charges. The ex-UT receiver claimed in his statement from August 14th that he had plans to sign with the Cleveland Browns, but no deal was finalized until today.
Now, as an official undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns, Bond is at a major disadvantage. Since he was not drafted, Bond missed all of OTAs, minicamp, and most of training camp, failing to build chemistry with QBs like Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. Additionally, Bond will now have to fight for playing time behind receivers like Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Jamari Thrash. Bond, who is instantly on the roster bubble due to his disadvantages, will fight for a spot on the 53-man roster.
