The arrival of safety Bubba Bolden to the Miami football program just 18 days before the Hurricanes play Florida means that the former USC Trojan is destined to begin the season on the second team.
Junior Amari Carter and sophomore Gurvan Hall have primarily been the first team safeties for the Miami football team in training camp. Senior Robert Knowles and junior Derrick Smith have been running with the second team. At this point, Bubba Bolden adds experience and depth according to cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph.
In addition to missing 12 days of training camp, Bolden does not have multiple years of experience in the Miami football program learning the Manny Diaz defense that the aforementioned safeties do. Smith switched back to safety this spring after backing up Romeo Finley at striker in 2018.
Bolden will give special teams coordinator Jonathan Patke another outstanding talent to use on coverage teams. The Hurricanes like to use linebackers and defensive backs in coverage. Miami was 92nd in opponent punt returns and 105th in opponent kickoff returns, the Hurricanes have to improve that in 2019.
Once Bolden gets up to speed on the Diaz, Blake Baker, Ephraim Banda defense it is expected that he will get as much playing time in the safety rotation as Carter and Hall. For now, Bolden adds needed depth. Although inexperienced throughout their lineup at safety, the Hurricanes are deep and talented. Rumph discussed Bolden.
"“(He can bring) his experience and depth. I keep talking about special teams and we’ve got to have a good amount of DBs on special teams, but just his presence today, the boys kind of felt it in a competitive situation–here’s another guy I’ve got to beat out, here’s a little bit more depth for us.But we’re just happy to see Bubba in South Florida ready to get going. He’s going to add all of those elements and make us way better in the back end.”"
Miami lost three of their four starters in the secondary from 2018. The Hurricanes led the nation in pass defense by a wide margin and in passing efficiency in 2018. With junior cornerback Trajan Bandy as the lone returning starter, the Hurricanes pass defense entering 2019 is an unknown. Baker also discussed Bolden’s status.
"”It’s going to be one of those deals where we’ve got to wait and see (how he fits in). Obviously catch him up to speed from a physical standpoint. We’ve got to figure out where he is at physically and then pick up the playbook.He’s going to be a couple weeks behind, but he’s a guy with great experience and athletic ability so that’s not to be determined.”"
UM CB coach Mike Rumph says safety Bubba Bolden, who has arrived, will make us "way better" in defensive backfield
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 7, 2019
Getting a player of Bolden’s talent was a huge addition to the Miami football program. Bolden was the 59th ranked player, seventh-ranked safety and third-ranked player in Nevada in 2017. He is a former high school teammate of Miami quarterback Tate Martell and tight end Brevin Jordan.
Bolden significantly raises the level of talent in the Hurricanes secondary with his addition to the roster. With three years of eligibility remaining, Bolden reduces the immediate need for Miami to add a safety to their roster for 2020.
By the time the Miami football team travels to North Carolina on September 7 following a bye week, Bolden should be ready to be a major contributor to the Hurricanes secondary. That gives him a month to learn the playbook.