Originally Posted by :
Bolton played in all 13 games as a true freshman (22 tackles, one sack) after earning Dallas Morning News first-team all-state honors at Lone Star High School (130 tackles, 16 for loss, five interceptions). He went from promising youngster to SEC star in 2019, earning first-team all-conference honors after leading the league with 8.9 tackles per game (107 total, 7.5 for loss), intercepting two passes and breaking up eight others in 12 starts. He was named second-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-SEC and a Butkus Award finalist in 2020, leading his defense with 95 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss (including two sacks), while breaking up five passes in 10 starts. Bolton's father, Carlos, played football at Louisiana Tech. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
When you think about strong, forceful inside linebackers, Bolton is the type of player you might be envisioning. He's going to fall below typical NFL starter standards from a size standpoint, but his rugged frame and forceful demeanor help make up for it. Play recognition and pursuit instincts help carry him to the football and he's a message-sending striker when he gets the runner squared up. He has functional short-area burst between the tackles but will struggle to run down the outside run if he's not close enough to the action. He will need to lean heavier on his instincts to help speed him up because of size and speed limitations. Bolton plays with good field recognition when dropping into zone and has a history of making plays on the football in coverage. He's a three-down linebacker who can make an immediate contribution on special teams and has the potential to become a future starter. Strengths
Very tough with a physical edge.
Plays with demeanor teams look for in the middle.
Field-savvy with instincts to diagnose misdirection.
Identifies and communicates.
Heavy hands with good pop to take on blocks.
Pursues ball-carrier with patience and leverage.
Fluid alterations to his pursuit angles.
Excellent feel for attack timing downhill.
Meets runners with violent collisions in the hole.
Strikes like he's trying to send a message.
Great awareness and ballhawking as spot dropper.
Has enough man-cover talent to play on all three downs.
Thrived on kick- and punt-cover teams early in his career.
Weaknesses
Average lateral quickness traps him behind climbing blocks.
Inconsistent to strike and separate from blockers.
Needs to improve angles to elude box traffic.
Might need to take a few more chances as a pro.
Top-end speed appears below average.
Loses ground when pursuit flows wide.
Below-average lateral agility as open-field tackler.
Will have to play quicker to deal with NFL slashers.
Originally Posted by chiefforlife:
I really hope Bolton is the Mike tomorrow, against Zeke and Pollard we really need him in there to shut those guys down!
I get having Hitch in there last week, the Raiders run game isnt anything to worry about.
This game is different, we need more Bolton!
No reason to think this will happen. Every week since Hitch has been back Bolton has gotten less and less snaps. Spags is doing his best cry baby vermeil coaching, playing his favorites not the best talent. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Kiimosabi:
Gay reminds me of DJ.
Bolton reminds me of Zach Thomas.
Pretty good comparison. Gay is like a DJ at the same point in his career. Bolton will remind people of DJ just because we havent had an instinctual line backer in years. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Dunerdr:
Pretty good comparison. Gay is like a DJ at the same point in his career. Bolton will remind people of DJ just because we havent had an instinctual line backer in years.
Gay's better than DJ, remember Johnson was loafing for years before Haley benched him then he got his shit together [Reply]
Originally Posted by RunKC:
He’s a straight line short area speed type of player. As in you better make the right read because his lateral and side to side speed is below average
Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare:
Gay's better than DJ, remember Johnson was loafing for years before Haley benched him then he got his shit together
That is true, i was but a boy then. Well a man boy. I was more worried about getting a date friday night than what DJ was doing at that point in my life. So ill take your word. I just remember a young DJ being able to fly around but over pursuing several times. [Reply]