Miami Hurricanes S Bubba Bolden would improve draft stock returning for 2021

Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden would improve his draft stock returning for his senior season in 2021.

Miami Hurricanes redshirt junior safety Bubba Bolden would help his draft stock by returning for his redshirt senior season in 2021. Bolden has two seasons of eligibility remaining beyond 2020 due to the NCAA granting all 2020 fall sports athletes an extra season of eligibility. Bolden’s play has been inconsistent this season.

After missing most of 2019, Bolden has 43 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles. The inconsistency from Bolden comes primarily in pass coverage. “Bolden has allowed 18 of 29 passes thrown in his coverage area to be caught for 329 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.”

The information about Bolden was from Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald via their metrics correspondent Daniel Gould. Bolden has allowed a generous “121.2 passer rating in his coverage area. Bolden is going to have to be better in coverage to be a viable NFL safety in a league that is throwing the ball increasingly more.

Scouts are noticing the decline Bolden has had this season. Bolden struggled in the 26-25 Miami victory in its last game over Virginia Tech earlier this month. With three games remaining on the Hurricanes schedule. Bolden is going to have to get more quality performances on video. Jackson quoting Dane Brugler of The Athletic.

"“Junior safety Bubba Bolden has had a nice season for Miami and he is definitely an NFL prospect, but he’s going to hope NFL scouts skip this VT tape.”"

Brugler is a draft analyst. Jackson added that Bolden needs to take better angles on his tackles and from play to play, Bolden has been “deficient to very good” with his tackling. As a professional, consistency is critical. Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker reiterated the need for Bolden to play more consistently.

"“The biggest thing with Bubba is just consistency…He’s such an instinctive player; he presses too much sometimes to make a play. It’s about relaxing, getting back into his groove and letting the plays come to him.”"

Bolden was the star for Miami in their loss to Clemson last month. The two blocked field goals that Bolden had for Miami with one being returned for a touchdown by cornerback D.J. Ivey was impressive. Miami only scored one TD on offense in the 42-17 loss to the Tigers. Bolden was on the verge of stardom.

If he returns for his redshirt senior season in 2021, the Miami defense and Bolden will be better off for it. Bolden can get more consistency and better play in pass coverage on video. He is currently projected as a second or third-round NFL Draft Pick. Bolden can play himself into a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.