Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
Robert Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich./St. Mary's) has been a varsity starter for one of the top football programs in the state of Michigan since his sophomore year. St. Mary's slumped a bit this past season, finishing wit a 4-5 record, but Bolden still threw for 1,000 yards.
Bolden threw for 1,000 yards and rushed for over 500 in leading St. Mary's to a 12-3 record during his sophomore season.
The 6-foot-4 and 195-pound Bolden, who has scholarship offers on the table from Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Nebraska and several others, runs a 'spread' offense at times, will drop into the pocket and run the option.
While quarterback Robert Bolden remains wide open, he says he knows what he?s looking for. ?I want to go where they have an offense that fits me and where I can play,? Bolden said. ?I?m not gonna go where they are recruiting two or three quarterbacks and have a bunch of guys already. I want to be able to play early. So I?ll definitely be checking out the depth charts...I think I?ll go..."
Robert Bolden, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound four-star quarterback from St. Mary Prep in Orchard Lake, Mich., finished his junior season with approximately 1,000 yards passing for seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 300 yards and another seven scores.
?I?m definitely a dual-threat type guy,? Bolden said. ?When things break down I can get out of it. I can make plays with my legs and that?s a plus. ?But I?m still trying to get faster,? he said. ?I?m running a lot of track because I want to work on my speed. Track also helps me with my balance and coordination. It definitely helps my footwork.?
Bolden, ranked as Scout.com?s No. 8 quarterback nationwide, says he now has 16 scholarship offers and continues to deny a leader. ?I?m in the process of narrowing down my list,? he said. ?I should have a top five by the end of April.?
Although Bolden remains wide open, he says he knows what he?s looking for in a program. ?I want to go where they have an offense that fits me and where I can play,? he said. ?I?m not gonna go where they are recruiting two or three quarterbacks and have a bunch of guys already. ?I want to be able to play early,? he said. ?So I?ll definitely be checking out the depth charts.?
Bolden has attended junior days at both Northwestern and Michigan State but has no others planned. ?Northwestern was really good,? Bolden said. ?I got a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches and the players and that was great. I liked the people there a lot. They seemed very honest and real and made us feel at home. ?Plus, it?s Northwestern so it?s all about academics,? he said. ?They definitely stress that.? Another thing the Wildcats have going for them is their depth chart. ?Well, they told me that I?d be able to compete for a job early,? he said. ?And that?s what I want to hear.?
The other junior day he attended was Michigan State?s and the Spartans are only just over an hour from Bolden?s house. ?The coaches are great,? he said. ?It was a lot of fun because we went to a basketball game. They beat Wisconsin and that was a pretty big win. The place was going crazy and I like the environment there.?
Bolden is also considering the Spartans in-state rivals ? Michigan. ?Michigan has been a great team forever,? he said. ?Coach Rich Rodriguez is a good coach and he?s trying to do a bunch of new things there and that takes time. I think he?ll have them winning again. ?I like the offense he runs,? Bolden said. ?I think I?d be able to fit well into their system.?
Bolden says he has offers from these three schools as well as Virginia, Central Michigan, Louisville, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Duke, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Oregon.
The Ducks are another program whose offense fits Bolden. ?I?ve been hearing from them a lot,? he said. ?One of our coaches has some connections there and that?s how they started recruiting me. ?They have a really good overall program and it seems like they?ve got everything,? he said. ?The football is great, I like the offense and it?s a good school too.?
Growing up, Bolden says he never followed anyone specific. ?But I loved watching football,? he said. ?I watched as many games as I could.?
Bolden says he doesn?t plan on making an early decision. ?I think I?ll go through the whole recruiting process,? he said. ?I want to get as many offers as I can before I settle down.
?I don?t want to feel like I?m missing out on anyone,? he said. He benches 240-pounds, squats 315 and claims a 34-inch vertical jump. Bolden reports a 3.4 core GPA and is awaiting his ACT results.
Spartan;1439542; said:Bolden seems to keeping everything close to the vest.
One article from the u-m site he says he doesn't want to play in a spread, the other posted he says he thinks he would fit well into u-m's system.
I like MSU's chances with him, but keep an eye on Oregon.
Robert Bolden (Orchard Lakes, Mich./St. Mary's) was much more skilled than expected coming into the NFTC. He is a tall, impressive athlete who catches your eye in warmups with his quick release and velocity. He consistently put the ball on the money -- both when dropping back and when sprinting out. Like the other quarterbacks, he'll need some work on his drops and setup, but he can truly throw the football. Bolden has yet to commit to any school but already has offers from Penn State, Michigan State and Louisville.
By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst
[email protected]
June 9, 2009
The NIKE Football Training Camp at the University of Illinois on Saturday was loaded with quarterback talent. Four ESPNU 150 Watch List signal callers took part in the camp - including Robert Bolden from Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's.
Bolden showed his stuff in War Memorial Stadium on Saturday and was as good as any quarterback on hand.
The 6-foot-4 and 195-pound Bolden, the most consistent quarterback in the day's activities, has the potential to be a star at the next level. The ball comes out of Bolden's hand like a rocket. He also has excellent speed and agility.
Bolden has close to two dozen scholarship offers including Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon, Wisconsin and Nebraska.
CONTINUED.....