Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden focused on team not watch lists
Speaking last week at the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden told the media he is focused on the team. Bolden responded to a question about being mentioned for Defensive Player of the Year. Bolden was named to the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award last week.
Miami returns nine starters on defense in 2021 led by Bolden. Bolden led the Hurricanes with 74 tackles in 2020 and added 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, three pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Miami needs Bolden to be better in pass coverage in 2021. Bolden projects to lead the Miami defense.
For a run at postseason awards, Bolden will have to make more interceptions and force more turnovers. The Miami secondary should be improved in 2021 with the addition of cornerback Tyrique Stevenson at CB. Bolden and Gurvan Hall in his fourth season project as the starters for Miami at safety.
Amari Carter who returns for his fifth Miami Hurricanes season will share time between safety and striker. Carter is taking advantage of the extra season granted by the NCAA to all athletes from the 2020-21 season. Led by Bolden, the experience on the Miami defense will set the culture for the 2021 season and beyond.
"“I don’t really look into all of that. I just keep the main thing the main thing. That’s coming out every day, working hard, doing whatever I need to do for my team. All those accolades, awards, they come with hard work and dedication. That’s my main thing right now. I’m focused on the team.I’m focused on these workouts, fall camp, then when that time comes, it will come.”"
Miami needs a team focus this season with the season opener against Alabama on September 4 in Atlanta. The Hurricanes enter the 2020 season with a two-game losing streak. Miami suffered an infamous loss to North Carolina to end the 2020 regular season and was defeated by Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Miami will begin fall camp on August 6. The focus for the defense will be DeAndre Johnson and Zach McCloud replacing 2021 NFL draftees Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche as edge rushers. Miami is experienced everywhere on defense but at defensive end, particularly behind Johnson and McCloud.
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Bolden is entering his second full season as a starter. Hall has 14 career starts, but only three of those came in 2020. Stevenson, Al Blades Jr., Te’Cory Couch and D.J. Ivey give Miami four experienced CBs. The Hurricanes secondary should be one of the most experienced in college football in 2021.