Victor Bolden Jr.
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{redirect|Victor Bolden|the American judge|Victor Allen Bolden}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Victor Bolden Jr.
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team = Free agent
| number =
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|4|4}}
| birth_place = Fontana, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 8
| weight_lbs = 178
| high_school = Los Osos
{{nowrap|(Rancho Cucamonga, California)}}
| college = Oregon State (2013–2016)
| undraftedyear = 2017
| pastteams =
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2017|2018}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})*
- Birmingham Stallions ({{USFL Year|2022}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Arlington Renegades ({{XFL Year|2023}})
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2024}})*
- BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2025}})*
| status =
| highlights =
- XFL champion (2023)
- USFL champion (2022)
- USFL Championship Game Most Valuable Player (2022)
- All-USFL (2022){{efn|Selected as a wide receiver and special teamer}}
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 1
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 10
| statlabel3 = Return yards
| statvalue3 = 535
| statlabel4 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue4 =
| pfr = BoldVi00
}}
Victor Vaughn Bolden Jr. (born April 4, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Oregon State, and signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. In 2022, with the Stallions, he won MVP of the Championship game versus the Philadelphia Stars.{{cite web | last=Mizell | first=Gina | title=Oregon State's Victor Bolden signs with San Francisco 49ers as undrafted free agent | website=OregonLive | date=2017-04-30 | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2017/04/victor_bolden_in_the_2017_nfl.html | access-date=2024-10-11}}{{Cite web |last=Wagoner |first=Nick |date=September 1, 2017 |title=Victor Bolden Jr. gives 49ers something to think about as cuts draw close |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/26864/victor-bolden-jr-gives-49ers-something-to-think-about-as-cuts-draw-close/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=ESPN.com}}
College career
Bolden appeared in 48 games with 36 career starts in his for seasons at Oregon State. In 2013, Bolden led the FBS with 58 kickoff returns and was second in yards with 1,198. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Washington in a game he totaled a career high 305 return yards. In Bolden's only career bowl appearance, Oregon State defeated Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl.{{Cite web |title=Hawaii Bowl – Boise State vs Oregon State Box Score, December 24, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-12-24-oregon-state.html |access-date=January 25, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In 2014, Bolden recorded double digit receptions in four of the 12 games he played, including a career high of 11 against both Hawaii and CAL. In 2015, Bolden returned his first career punt return for a touchdown in the season finale against rival Oregon. Bolden finished his collegiate career ranked sixth in receptions and ninth in receiving yards for the Beavers. He also finished with six 100-yard receiving performances. Bolden finished third all-time at Oregon state with 5,196 all-purpose yards and holds the school record with 2,420 kickoff return yards.{{cite web|title=Victor Bolden Jr. 2016 roster|url=https://osubeavers.com/sports/football/roster/victor-bolden-jr-/2958|website=osubeavers.com|date=May 12, 2025}}
= statistics =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Kick returns ! colspan="4"| Punt returns | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | TD | |
| 2013 | Oregon State
| 13 || 2 || 6 || 62 || 10.3 || 0 || 12 || 95 || 7.9 || 1 || 58 || 1,198 || 20.7 || 1 || — || — || — || — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Oregon State
| 11 || 11 || 72 || 798 || 11.1 || 2 || 19 || 118 || 6.2 || 0 || — || — || — || — || 4 || 44 || 11.0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Oregon State
| 12 || 12 || 46 || 461 || 10.0 || 3 || 36 || 185 || 5.1 || 0 || 23 || 580 || 25.2 || 1 || 1 || 78 || 78.0 || 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Oregon State
| 12 || 11 || 46 || 542 || 11.8 || 2 || 28 || 329 || 11.8 || 2 || 27 || 642 || 23.8 || 1 || 14 || 64 || 4.6 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/victor-bolden-1.html Career] | 48 | 36 | 170 | 1,863 | 11.0 | 7 | 95 | 727 | 7.7 | 3 | 108 | 2,420 | 22.4 | 3 | 19 | 186 | 9.8 | 1 |
Professional career
=San Francisco 49ers=
Bolden signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017.{{Cite web |title=49ers Sign 6 Draft Picks, 18 Undrafted Free Agents |url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Sign-6-Draft-Picks-18-Undrafted-Free-Agents/38d5b19e-5568-405f-956d-524352795c80 |date=May 4, 2017 |website=49ers.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219080852/http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Sign-6-Draft-Picks-18-Undrafted-Free-Agents/38d5b19e-5568-405f-956d-524352795c80 |archive-date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=September 9, 2017}}
In Week 2, against the Seattle Seahawks, Bolden had three kickoff returns for 71 total yards in his NFL debut.{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – September 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170sea.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 28, 2017}} On December 13, 2017, Bolden was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.{{Cite web |title=49ers Sign WR Max McCaffrey, Place WR Victor Bolden on IR |url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Sign-WR-Max-McCaffrey-Place-WR-Victor-Bolden-on-IR/bb1512c3-3db6-4d17-ab99-c28d48a5a146?sf176229395=1 |date=December 13, 2017 |website=49ers.com}}
On June 1, 2018, Bolden was suspended the first four games of the 2018 season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.{{Cite web |title=Niners' Victor Bolden suspended four games for PEDs |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/niners-victor-bolden-suspended-four-games-for-peds-0ap3000000935392 |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=June 1, 2018 |website=NFL.com |access-date=May 5, 2020}}
On October 30, 2018, Bolden was waived by the 49ers and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |title=49ers Waive WR Victor Bolden Jr. and DB Greg Mabin |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-waive-wr-victor-bolden-jr-and-db-greg-mabin |date=October 31, 2018 |website=49ers.com |access-date=May 5, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=49ers Announce Several Roster Moves ahead of Week 9 |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-several-roster-moves-ahead-of-week-9 |date=November 1, 2018 |website=49ers.com |access-date=May 5, 2020}}
=Buffalo Bills=
On December 18, 2018, Bolden was signed by the Buffalo Bills off the 49ers practice squad.{{Cite web |title=Bills sign WR Victor Bolden off 49ers practice squad |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-wr-victor-bolden-off-49ers-practice-squad |last=Brown |first=Chris |date=December 18, 2018 |website=BuffaloBills.com |access-date=May 5, 2020}} He was waived on August 31, 2019.{{Cite web |title=Bills cut roster down to 53 players |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-cut-roster-down-to-53-players |last=Brown |first=Chris |date=August 31, 2019 |website=BuffaloBills.com |access-date=May 5, 2020}}
=Detroit Lions=
On December 3, 2019, Bolden was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad.{{Cite web |title=Lions sign LB Jason Cabinda to active roster |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-lb-jason-cabinda-to-active-roster |date=December 3, 2019 |website=DetroitLions.com |access-date=May 5, 2020}} On December 30, 2019, Bolden was signed to a reserve/future contract.{{Cite web |title=Lions report 11 Reserve/Future signings |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-report-11-reserve-future-signings |date=December 30, 2019 |website=DetroitLions.com |access-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407144824/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-report-11-reserve-future-signings |url-status=dead }}
On September 5, 2020, Bolden was waived by the Lions and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Lions announce roster moves|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x4330|website=DetroitLions.com|date=September 5, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Lions establish practice squad|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-establish-practice-squad|website=DetroitLions.com|date=September 6, 2020}} He was released on September 9,{{cite web|url= https://www.si.com/.amp-lions/nfl/lions/onepride-plus/lions-add-kerrith-whyte-to-practice-squad| title= Lions sign Kerrith Whyte to practice squad|work= Sports Illustrated}} and re-signed to the practice squad on October 13.{{cite news |author=Sclitt, Erik |title=Lions add WR Victor Bolden to practice squad, waive RB Tavien Feaster |url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/10/13/lions-add-wr-victor-bolden-to-practice-squad-waive-rb-tavien-feaster/ |website=USAToday.com |date=October 13, 2020 |access-date=October 29, 2020}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2021.{{cite web|title=Lions announce Reserve/Future signings|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-reserve-future-signings-bolden-kennedy-pittman|website=DetroitLions.com|date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115134547/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-reserve-future-signings-bolden-kennedy-pittman|url-status=dead}}
On August 31, 2021, Bolden was waived.{{cite news |last1=Kerr |first1=Jeff |last2=Dajani |first2=Jordan |title=2021 NFL roster cuts tracker: Here's every cut from all 32 teams after initial rosters trimmed to 53 players |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-roster-cuts-tracker-heres-every-cut-from-all-32-teams-after-initial-rosters-trimmed-to-53-players/ |access-date=March 5, 2022 |work=CBS Sports |date=August 31, 2021}}
=Birmingham Stallions (first stint)=
Bolden was selected with the first pick of the 13th round of the 2022 USFL draft by the Birmingham Stallions.{{cite news |last1=Camenker |first1=Jacob |title=USFL rosters 2022: Complete draft results, team-by-team picks for new football league |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/usfl-draft-2022-picks-results-rosters/kfjtmrpdeztksutjassswllz |access-date=March 5, 2022 |work=Sporting News |date=February 23, 2022}}
On June 16, 2022, Bolden was named as a Wide Receiver and Special Team All-USFL Team.{{cite web|title=2022 All-USFL Team offense unveiled |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/2022-all-usfl-team-offense-unveiled |access-date=June 26, 2022 | date=June 16, 2022}}
On July 3, 2022, he received the MVP award of the USFL championship game for his efforts during the Stallions victory over the Philadelphia Stars.
=Arizona Cardinals=
On July 22, 2022, Bolden signed with the Arizona Cardinals.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Sign USFL Wideout Victor Bolden Jr. |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-sign-usfl-wideout-victor-bolden-jr |access-date=July 22, 2022 | date=July 22, 2022}} He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Make Final Cutdown To Get To Initial 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/arizona-cardinals-make-final-cuts-to-get-to-53-man-roster|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=August 30, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Cardinals Re-Sign 11 To Practice Squad|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-re-sign-11-to-practice-squad|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=August 31, 2022}} He was placed on the practice squad/injured list on September 14, 2022.{{cite web | last=Urban | first=Darren | title=Kyler Murray Goes From Getting Mad To Getting Better | website=Arizona Cardinals| date=2022-09-14 | url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-quarterback-kyler-murray-goes-from-getting-mad-to-getting-better | access-date=2025-01-01}} He was released on September 20.
=Denver Broncos=
On November 15, 2022, Bolden was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Broncos promote Jonathan Harris to active roster, activate Tom Compton from PUP|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-promote-jonathan-harris-to-active-roster-activate-tom-compton-from-pup|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=November 15, 2022}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.{{cite web|title=Broncos sign nine players to future contracts|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-nine-players-to-future-contracts|author=Swanson, Ben|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=January 9, 2023}} He was waived on March 14, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-release-cb-ronald-darby-waive-wrs-victor-bolden-and-freddie-swain|work=DenverBroncos.com|title=Broncos release CB Ronald Darby, waive WRs Victor Bolden and Freddie Swain|date=March 14, 2023|access-date=March 15, 2023|first=Aric|last=DiLalla}}
=Arlington Renegades=
Bolden signed with the Arlington Renegades of the XFL on March 22, 2023.{{cite tweet |user=XFLRenegades |title=Transactions |number=1638586654192484353 |date=March 22, 2023 |access-date=March 22, 2023}} He was released from his contract on August 13, 2023.{{cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |website=XFL.com |access-date=August 15, 2023}}
= Houston Texans =
Bolden signed with the Houston Texans on August 13, 2023,{{Cite web |last=Ulrich |first=Logan |date=2023-08-13 |title=Texans Officially Announce Five Roster Moves |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/texans-signing-qb-ej-perry-wr-victor-bolden/ |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} but was waived the next day.{{cite news |title=Houston Texans Transactions (8-14-2023) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-8-14-2023 |website=HoustonTexans.com |date=August 14, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2023}}
=Birmingham Stallions (second stint)=
Bolden re-signed with the Stallions on September 25, 2023.{{cite tweet |user=USFLStallions |title=Free Agent Signings |number=1706505080651018436 |date=September 25, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023}} He was removed from the team's roster on March 21, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Birmingham Stallions Roster |url=https://www.theufl.com/teams/birmingham/roster |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}}
= BC Lions =
On March 27, 2025, Bolden signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Former NFL WRs Bolden and Bowden Sign With Lions |url=https://www.bclions.com/2025/03/27/former-nfl-wrs-bolden-and-bowden-sign-with-lions/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=BC Lions |language=en}} He was released on May 2, 2025.https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/
Career statistics
=NFL Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kickoff returns ! colspan="5"| Punt returns | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
| 2017 | SF
| 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 19 || 396 || 20.8 || 34 || 0 || 4 || 23 || 5.8 || 16 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| 2018 | SF
| 4 || 0 || 1 || 10 || 10.0 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| BUF
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 5 || 116 || 23.2 || 28 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BoldVi00.htm Career] || 15 || 0 || 1 || 10 || 10.0 || 10 || 0 || 24 || 512 || 21.3 || 34 || 0 || 4 || 23 || 5.8 || 16 || 0 |
USFL/XFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#f4c842; width:3em;"|
| Championship Game MVP |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| League champion |
| Bold
| Career high |
= Regular season =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| League ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kickoff returns ! colspan="5"| Punt returns | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |
| 2022 | style="background:#afe6ba;"|BHAM | USFL
| 9 || 9 || 42 || 415 || 9.9 || 53 || 1 || 25 || 618 || 24.7 || 41 || 0 || 21 || 176 || 8.4 || 28 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | style="background:#afe6ba;"| ARL | XFL
| 2 || 0 || 3 || 40 || 13.3 || 18 || 0 || 1 || 26 || 26.0 || 26 || 0 || 1 || -2 || -2.0 || -2 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="3"| [https://www.footballdb.com/players/victor-bolden-boldevi01 Career] | 11 | 9 | 45 | 455 | 10.1 | 53 | 7 | 26 | 644 | 24.8 | 41 | 0 | 22 | 174 | 7.9 | 28 | 0 |
= Postseason =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| League ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kickoff returns ! colspan="5"| Punt returns | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |
| style="background:#f4c842;"| 2022 | style="background:#afe6ba;"|BHAM | USFL
| 2 || 2 || 7 || 66 || 9.4 || 19 || 1 || 7 || 258 || 36.9 || 90 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | style="background:#afe6ba;"| ARL | XFL
| 1 || 0 || 1 || 8 || 8.0 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 9 || 9.0 || 9 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="3"| [https://www.footballdb.com/players/victor-bolden-boldevi01 Career] | 3 | 2 | 8 | 74 | 9.3 | 19 | 1 | 7 | 258 | 36.9 | 90 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 3.0 | 9 | 0 |
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.osubeavers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2958 Oregon State Beavers bio]
{{2022 Birmingham Stallions}}
{{2023 Arlington Renegades}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolden, Victor Jr.}}
Category:American football return specialists
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Oregon State Beavers football players
Category:Players of American football from San Bernardino County, California
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Los Osos High School alumni
Category:Birmingham Stallions (2022) players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Arlington Renegades players