Published February 28, 2011 - 5:17am
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
Saturday Down South is continually counting down the top 20 players in the SEC for 2011 – pre-season style!
Brandon Bolden – No. 17
Ole Miss was just terrible this past season on the field, but one of the lone bright spots – maybe the only bright spot – was running back Brandon Bolden. Bolden has great size at running back at 5-11, 215lbs. He is a load to bring down after the point of first contact.
This past season in 2010, Bolden was the team’s leading rusher and the SEC’s fifth best rusher, with 163 rushing attempts, 976 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged right at six yards per carry, and he did not have a chance to increase those numbers in a bowl game. He would have finished with over 1,000 on the year if he had appeared in a bowl game.
To go along with his rushing ability, Bolden was also the leading receiver on the Rebels this past season. He caught 32 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns. I think this part of his game can be an asset for Ole Miss next year, along with his running game of course.
The good news for Rebels’ fans – Bolden is back for his senior year, and he looks to be the team leader. He is one of the best in the SEC, a conference that is absolutely stacked at the running back position. However, I think Bolden could be in the top five when compared to the other running backs in the conference.
Bolden’s best game came this year when WAC contenders Fresno State visited Oxford. Bolden absolutely trashed their rushing defense for 228 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. He also caught a pass for a touchdown in that game.
Bolden rushed for more than 100 yards in five out of 12 games – by far the best season of his career.
Even though Ole Miss will be rebuilding next year in 2011, Brandon Bolden has a chance to improve on his career numbers and get a shot at the NFL. He’s a great looking prospect who is often overlooked in a talent-filled conference, especially at running back.
The Countdown:
