The return of redshirt junior safety Bubba Bolden will solidify the Miami Hurricanes secondary in 2021.
Miami Hurricanes leading 2020 returning tackler, safety Bubba Bolden announced via Twitter on Tuesday that he is returning for the 2021 season. Bolden had 74 tackles this season, 21 more than senior safety Amari Carter who was second. Bolden also had 6.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and four forced fumbles.
Carter and junior Gurvan Hall will also have decisions to make for the 2021 season. Carter can return this fall with the NCAA granting all 2020 fall sport athletes an extra year of eligibility. Hall has the option of entering the NFL Draft as a junior. Bolden used the new Miami catchphrase lets run it back in his announcement.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King used the same slogan when he announced his return on December 29. Junior running back Cam’Ron Harris also announced his return for the 2021 season last week. Defensive ends Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche and kicker Jose Borregales are entering the 2021 NFL Draft.
Bolden played in all 11 Miami games in 2020 after appearing in only five during his first season with the Hurricanes in 2019. The safeties will by far the most experienced unit on the Miami defense in 2020. Hall seems likely to return with Carter still yet to make a decision. Miami has a lot of young depth behind those three.
🗣🗣🗣 @BubbBolden pic.twitter.com/EMLYPUCAYu
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 5, 2021
Freshman Brian Balom earned playing time this season and recorded 10 tackles. Miami also has freshmen Jalen Harrell and Keshaun Washington. The Hurricanes signed the top safety nationally in each of the last two classes. Avantae Williams missed the entire 2020 season and James Williams signed in 2021.
The Hurricanes also signed four-star safety Kamren Kinchens in the 2021 class. Expect more decisions to come from Miami players throughout January. Earlier on Tuesday, Miami redshirt sophomore defensive end Patrick Joyner announced has entered the transfer portal. Miami is likely to add transfers for 2021 as well.