Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden has the potential for an All-American season with head coach Manny Diaz resuming the play calling. In four of the five seasons Diaz has been the Miami head coach or the defensive coordinator, a safety has led the Hurricanes in tackles. That includes Bolden last season with 74.
If Miami plays in the ACC championship game, Bubba Bolden will have a chance to record 100 tackles. The most tackles from a Miami safety during the Diaz tenure were 96 in 13 games by Jaquan Johnson in 2017. Johnson added three tackles for loss, one sack and four interceptions with one touchdown.
Johnson also had four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles as Miami finished 10-3 and won its only outright ACC Coastal Divison title in 2017. Bolden averaged 6.73 tackles per game in 2020, Johnson 7.38 in 2017. Prorated over a 13 game season, Bolden would finish with 87.45 tackles.
Jalen Catalon of Arkansas led all defensive backs in 2020 with 99 tackles. Bolden added 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and three pass breakups in 2020. Bolden was second nationally with four forced fumbles. In 2021, Bolden will probably have to create more turnovers for All-American consideration.
Bolden will play for a new position coach in 2021 in addition to Diaz resuming control of the Hurricanes defense as the de facto coordinator and play-caller. Previous co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Ephraim Banda left for Utah State.
is the new DB coach that will include overseeing safeties.
With Diaz calling the Miami defense, the Hurricanes will blitz more and utilize man coverage more often than zone. Bolden graded the highest last season when used as a pass rusher. Miami needs Bolden to improve against the run and in coverage in 2021. With nine starters back in 2021, the Miami defense should improve.
Diaz regaining defensive play-calling and Bolden entering his fifth season of college football, the ceiling is high for the safety. Robinson is a highly regarded coach who is an elite recruiter and should help Miami continue to develop elite safeties. Robinson played safety at Auburn and in the NFL.