Slade Bolden Declares for NFL Draft

Alabama redshirt junior slot receiver Slade Bolden has decided to forgo his senior year at UA and elect to enter the NFL Draft. Bolden finished this season with 42 catches, 408 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He finishes his career at UA with 68 catches, 712 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

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While certainly not the most talented or physically gifted receiver we have seen at the Capstone over the years, Bolden had stepped up into a key role in the Alabama offense as someone Nick Saban trusts to be dependable and make the right play.

Bolden began to step into a major role in the offense once Jaylen Waddle went down with an ankle injury during the matchup against Tennessee in the 2020 season. Employing the "next man up" mentality, Bolden stepped in and played one of his most productive career games in really his first time seeing major snaps, snagging six catches for 94 yards.

Bolden also had a very important role with the 2021 unit as one of the most experienced pass catchers in the offense. Not only did he step up in the slot especially late in the season, but he was also prepared to play running back if need be, with the Tide having been down to only two scholarship ball carriers by the later part of the season.

Bolden's legacy at Alabama will be remembered as a dependable player who did his job and rarely made mistakes, something Nick Saban certainly covets and respects. As for the next level, Bolden will look to carve out a role similar to the one he had at Alabama. And you would be wise to not bet against him doing just that.