Slade Bolden
{{short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Slade Bolden
| image = Slade Bolden.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Bolden with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2019
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|1|26}}
| birth_place = West Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 189
| high_school = West Monroe
| college = Alabama (2018–2021)
| undraftedyear = 2022
| pastteams =
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2024}})*
| status =
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 =
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Rushing yards
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Return yards
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue5 =
| pfr = BoldSl00
}}
Slade Bolden (born January 26, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Alabama and was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Early life
Bolden grew up in West Monroe, Louisiana, and attended West Monroe High School, where he played baseball and football.{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Cory |date=November 24, 2017 |title=Catching Up with Slade Bolden: West Monroe star talks Alabama, final prep season |url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/11/24/catching-up-slade-bolden-west-monroe-star-talks-alabama-final-prep-season/870327001/ |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=The News Star |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114142036/https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/11/24/catching-up-slade-bolden-west-monroe-star-talks-alabama-final-prep-season/870327001/ |url-status=live }} He played quarterback and receiver during his junior year and rushed for 1,370 yards and 24 touchdowns with 906 passing yards and nine touchdown passes while also catching 15 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Champlin |first=Drew |date=August 3, 2017 |title=Louisiana athlete Slade Bolden commits to Alabama |url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2017/08/slade_bolden_alabama_commit.html |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=AL.com |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114102732/https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2017/08/slade_bolden_alabama_commit.html |url-status=live }} As a senior, Bolden passed for 1,622 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 1,460 yards and 20 touchdowns and was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2017 |title=West Monroe's Slade Bolden named Gatorade Louisiana Football Player of the Year |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/high_schools/article_e6e8af10-ded0-11e7-aa89-7b66f6b7c76c.html |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=The Advocate |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115010236/https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/high_schools/article_e6e8af10-ded0-11e7-aa89-7b66f6b7c76c.html |url-status=live }} He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Alabama over offers from TCU and LSU.{{Cite web |last=Morale III |first=Amos |date=August 4, 2017 |title=West Monroe 2018 athlete Slade Bolden commits to Alabama |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/high_schools/article_bcfd0828-0469-5aa3-b8d3-5e6db81bf114.html |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=NOLA.com |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313000648/https://www.nola.com/sports/high_schools/article_bcfd0828-0469-5aa3-b8d3-5e6db81bf114.html |url-status=live }}
College career
Bolden played in Alabama's 2018 season opener against Louisville as a true freshman before opting to redshirt the year.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jake |date=May 5, 2020 |title=Alabama's Bolden puts in work to earn starting WR role |url=https://www.hannapub.com/ouachitacitizen/sports/alabamas-bolden-puts-in-work-to-earn-starting-wr-role/article_c874d706-8a69-11ea-9e7b-67cf381aacbc.html |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=Ouachita Citizen |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114190306/https://www.hannapub.com/ouachitacitizen/sports/alabamas-bolden-puts-in-work-to-earn-starting-wr-role/article_c874d706-8a69-11ea-9e7b-67cf381aacbc.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Paschall |first=David |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Alabama freshman Slade Bolden gives team's defense a glimpse of option |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2018/nov/15/alabamfreshmslade-bolden-gives-teams-defense/483094/ |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=Chattanooga Times Free Press |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114200218/https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2018/nov/15/alabamfreshmslade-bolden-gives-teams-defense/483094/ |url-status=live }} As a redshirt freshman in the 2019 season, he caught two passes for 34 yards and rushed four times for 10 yards as a wildcat quarterback while also completing a six yard pass for a touchdown, which came against Tennessee.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee at Alabama Box Score, October 19, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-10-19-alabama.html |access-date=March 12, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126183634/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-10-19-alabama.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Paschall |first=David |date=October 26, 2020 |title=Saban won't make comparisons between Jaylen Waddle and Slade Bolden |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2020/oct/26/saban-waddle-bolden/534843/ |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=Chattanooga Times Free Press |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114094005/https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2020/oct/26/saban-waddle-bolden/534843/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Byington |first=Alex |date=October 20, 2019 |title=Alabama's Slade Bolden provides offensive spark as Wildcat QB |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/2019/10/20/with-tagovailoa-out-alabamas-slade-bolden-provides-offensive-spark-wildcat-qb-vs-tennessee/4008186002/ |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113203124/https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/2019/10/20/with-tagovailoa-out-alabamas-slade-bolden-provides-offensive-spark-wildcat-qb-vs-tennessee/4008186002/ |url-status=live }} As a redshirt sophomore, Bolden became a starter at wide receiver after Jaylen Waddle suffered a broken ankle.{{Cite web |last=McNair |first=Kirk |date=October 24, 2020 |title=Slade Bolden Appears To Be Jaylen Waddle's Replacement |url=https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/Alabamas-wide-receiver-corps-took-a-hit-with-season-ending-injury-to-Jaylen-Waddle-and-third-year-sophomore-Slade-Bolden-took-over-his-duties-in-Crimson-Tides-48-17-win-over-T-153591662/ |access-date=May 23, 2022 |website=BamaOnLine |language=en-US |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101023747/https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/Alabamas-wide-receiver-corps-took-a-hit-with-season-ending-injury-to-Jaylen-Waddle-and-third-year-sophomore-Slade-Bolden-took-over-his-duties-in-Crimson-Tides-48-17-win-over-T-153591662/ |url-status=live }} Bolden caught a five-yard pass from Mac Jones in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship for his first career touchdown reception as the Crimson Tide won 52–24 over Ohio State.{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Steve Sarkisian, Alabama stars deliver big numbers in OC's finale |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Sarkisian-Bama-stars-deliver-big-numbers-in-OC-s-15863256.php |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=Houston Chronicle |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112051900/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Sarkisian-Bama-stars-deliver-big-numbers-in-OC-s-15863256.php |url-status=live }} He finished the season with 24 receptions for 270 yards and one touchdown and returned seven punts for 29 yards.{{Cite web |last=Gates |first=Riley |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Slade Bolden reacts to scoring first-career touchdown |url=https://247sports.com/Article/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-National-Championship-Slade-Bolden-reacts-to-scoring-first-career-touchdown-Mac-Jones-159142151/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |website=247Sports |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112203502/https://247sports.com/Article/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-National-Championship-Slade-Bolden-reacts-to-scoring-first-career-touchdown-Mac-Jones-159142151/ |url-status=live }} As a redshirt junior, Bolden caught 42 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Goss |first=Nick |date=March 2, 2022 |title=Alabama WR Slade Bolden met with Pats at combine, models game after Edelman |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/alabama-wr-slade-bolden-met-patriots-combine-models-game-after-julian-edelman |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=NBC Sports Boston |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309142257/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/alabama-wr-slade-bolden-met-patriots-combine-models-game-after-julian-edelman |url-status=live }} In the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, he had a receiving touchdown against Cincinnati.{{Cite web |title=Cotton Bowl - Cincinnati vs Alabama Box Score, December 31, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-12-31-alabama.html |access-date=March 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201223746/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-12-31-alabama.html |url-status=live }} After the season, Bolden announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2022 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Nick |date=January 14, 2022 |title=Alabama football receiver Slade Bolden declares for NFL Draft |url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/01/14/alabama-football-receiver-slade-bolden-declares-nfl-draft/6528497001/ |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=Tuscaloosa News |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127134847/https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/01/14/alabama-football-receiver-slade-bolden-declares-nfl-draft/6528497001/ |url-status=live }}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |G ! colspan="4" |Receiving |
| Rec
!Yds !Avg !TD |
|---|
| 2019
|7 |2 |34 |17.0 |0 |
| 2020
|8 |24 |270 |11.3 |1 |
| 2021
|15 |42 |408 |9.7 |3 |
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/slade-bolden-1.html Career]
|30 |68 |712 |10.5 |4 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 5/8
| weight = 193
| dash = 4.66
| ten split = 1.52
| twenty split = 2.61
| shuttle = 4.03
| cone drill = 7.01
| vertical = 36.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| bench = 11
| arm span = 29 3/8
| hand span = 9 3/4
| wonderlic =
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |title=Slade Bolden Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/slade-bolden/3200424f-4c27-7627-bf00-79314cde8c66 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308010826/https://www.nfl.com/prospects/slade-bolden/3200424f-4c27-7627-bf00-79314cde8c66 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Slade Bolden, Alabama, WR, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1029390&DraftYear=2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=draftscout.com |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310015822/https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1029390&DraftYear=2022 |url-status=live }}
}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
Bolden signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Arend |first=Alek |date=May 1, 2022 |title=Alabama Standout Slade Bolden Announces He Signed UDFA Deal |url=https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/alabama-standout-slade-bolden-announces-he-signed-udfa-deal |access-date=May 1, 2022 |website=The Spun |language=en-US |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501082103/https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/alabama-standout-slade-bolden-announces-he-signed-udfa-deal |url-status=live }} He was waived/injured on August 23, and placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Slade Bolden among players released from NFL rosters |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2022/08/slade-bolden-among-players-released-from-nfl-rosters.html |access-date=March 13, 2023 |website=AL.com |language=en |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827031628/https://www.al.com/sports/2022/08/slade-bolden-among-players-released-from-nfl-rosters.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=August 23, 2022 |title=Ravens Trim Roster to 80 Players |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-trim-roster-80-players |access-date=March 12, 2023 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903230842/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-trim-roster-80-players |url-status=live }} He was released on October 18, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Grindley |first=Wyatt |date=October 18, 2022 |title=Ravens Make Six Roster Moves |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/ravens-announce-three-roster-moves-2/ |access-date=March 12, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030221433/https://nfltraderumors.co/ravens-announce-three-roster-moves-2/ |url-status=live }}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On May 15, 2023, Bolden signed with the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite web |last=Bair |first=Scott |date=May 15, 2023 |title=Falcons sign four, cut several in series of moves following rookie minicamp |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-four-cut-several-in-series-of-moves-following-rookie-minicamp |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com }} He was waived on August 29, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Waack |first=Terrin |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Falcons announce initial 53-man roster for 2023 |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/initial-53-man-roster-transactions-announced-for-2023 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}
= Birmingham Stallions =
On January 19, 2024, Bolden signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite news |title=The UFL Agree to Terms with 42 Players |url=https://uflboard.com/news/the-ufl-agree-to-terms-with-42-players/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024}} He was waived on March 22, 2024.{{Cite news |title=Birmingham Stallions Announce Final Roster ahead of 2024 Season |url=https://uflboard.com/news/birmingham-stallions-announce-final-roster-ahead-of-2024-season/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=March 22, 2024 |access-date=March 23, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/slade-bolden-1.html Collegiate statistics] at Sports Reference
- [https://rolltide.com/sports/football/roster/slade-bolden/6305 Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
{{2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolden, Slade}}
Category:Sportspeople from West Monroe, Louisiana
Category:Players of American football from Louisiana
Category:West Monroe High School alumni
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:Baltimore Ravens players