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| Joe Bolden (#35) chases Devin Gardner in the spring game |
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 230 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Colerain
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #35
Last year: Bolden was in high school. He had 86 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception returned for a touchdown.
Final TTB Rating: 88
Bolden played in the Under Armour All-American Game in early January, and he earned rave reviews for his tackling and diagnosing abilities, as well as his leadership. He played fairly well in the game itself, but wasn't a star. Bolden enrolled at Michigan in January and participated in spring practices, so he already has a leg up on the rest of the 2012 linebackers.
Aside from Kenny Demens, Michigan has no true middle linebacker waiting in the wings as a backup or injury replacement. Mike Jones hasn't played much and isn't a good fit at MIKE. Other options include the undersized Antonio Poole (likely out for the year with an injury); the undersized Brandin Hawthorne (who lost his starting WILL job to a freshman last year); or incoming freshman Royce Jenkins-Stone (undersized and inexperienced). That leaves Bolden as Demens's potential primary backup. However, Demens was very durable last season and often played the whole game. If he goes down for any length of time, it's also quite possible that WILL linebacker Desmond Morgan slides over to MIKE. Bolden is low on the list for being a potential second-stringer, but that's mainly because there are lots of permutations we could see at linebacker. I expect Bolden to see the field some, but Bolden looked a step slow in the Under Armour game and in the spring. It will likely be best for the team if he's not counted on heavily during the season.
Prediction: Backup middle linebacker
As usual, I've enjoyed the countdown. Bolden aside for a moment, I can't help noticing that you've barely (if at all) touched the D-line. Am looking forward to seeing how that unfolds ...
ReplyDeleteWell, the defensive line is going to be very important this year, and there's not a whole lot of depth...so a lot of guys are pretty high on the list. I have posted profiles of several defensive linemen, but mostly freshmen and guys likely to be buried on the bench.
DeleteYour way off base here, Bolden will start before season ends and will be a star. I would not be surprised if he starts right away
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL False. There's no way he's going to unseat Demens to start the season.
DeleteYou're insane. He's 100% a MIKE and Demens has that spot locked down, so there is no place for Bolden other than to spell Demens here and there, and mop-up duty. I agree that he is talented enough to play if Michigan didn't already have an entrenched starter, but they are finally able to ease kids into action instead of having their hand forced due to a lack of returning capable returning starters.
DeleteI guess time will tell who's right and wrong.
DeleteWow Anonymous 2 with the crazy prediction. You seriously think Bolden, a true freshman, will supplant Kenny Demens, entrenched redshirt senior? May I remind you that Demens has 25 pounds of muscle and 20 starts on Bolden. The only way that happens is if Demens is out due to injury.
ReplyDeleteIf Demens goes down to injury we're more likely to see (a now healthy) Cam Gordon fill in. Best 11 and all...
ReplyDeleteNah, Gordon's not a MIKE linebacker. You'd see Bolden, Morgan, Jenkins-Stone, Hawthorne, maybe Jones, but not Gordon.
DeleteIf they were to slide Morgan over to mike would Cam take over at will?
DeleteNope. Cam Gordon is a SAM, and right now, he's Jake Ryan's only backup at SAM. The backup WILL would probably be Hawthorne or Ross.
Delete6'3" 230 lbs incoming freshman?? He's your protypical Wisconsin LB. He's what our LB USED BE LIKE in the glory days. Bolden has a STRONG chance to unseat Demens. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteFWIW I think Ross see more action than any LB freshman.
Because height and weight are all that matters and football in 2012 is exactly as it was in the '90s. Relax.
DeleteBolden doesn't have a strong chance of unseating Demens.
DeletePlays a significant role. Reason why you see this staff recruiting BIGGER than last staff. Am I wrong??
ReplyDeleteSize does play a significant role. But if you're just looking at size, Demens is 6'1" and 248 lbs. He's bigger than Bolden and much more experienced.
DeleteVery seasoned. With all due respect Thunder, how long has Demens been with the program to reach 248lbs?? After thinking about it.. Damn. Demens pretty thick. I'm 6'1" and a measley 160 lbs. All in all, I don't see Bolden starting but do see him by seasons ends was what I'm implying. Think as you see more of Hoke's recruits in the fold as the year goes on, the less freshmen on the field.
ReplyDeleteWas curious too did you do a report on Jabril Peppers or Parrker Westphalt??
I haven't done scouting reports on any 2014 prospects yet, but I have been keeping track of their recruitments since both of them have Michigan offers.
DeleteI don't think Bolden has much more to bring to the table from either a physical or athletic standpoint than Demens. He's a bit taller, but that's really it. Demens is a physical run-stuffer and surprisingly good in coverage.
DeleteHave you ever met Kenny Demens? He's not just big...his arms are like tree trunks and he moves much differently than most dudes his size.
I have noticed he can move. Just overwhelmed he's nearly 25o lbs. @ 6'1". Arms like tree trunks? Haa, then my "twigs" will fit perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWho are you looking forward to 2014 as a Wolverine recruit?? I personally like De'Shawn Hand. He's the only one I will be filming outside the state of Florida.
I like Hand, but I also like Cass Tech CB Damon Webb, Tennessee WR/RB Jalen Hurd, California TE Tyler Luatua, Ohio LB Michael Ferns, and Texas defensive backs Nick Watkins and Edward Paris. I don't think they're all necessarily likely to come to Michigan, but they're good players.
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