Illinois D-Back Getting Noticed

Evanston (Ill.) head coach Tony Johnson has to be excited about the up coming season, he has a roster that includes several D-1 prospects, including two-way standout Michael Bolden. Bolden, the son of former Michigan Wolverines football player, Jim Bolden, has been impressive on the camp and combine circuit.

“I participated in the Maine South quarterback combine in May and after that I had like 15 schools call me on the phone.” Michael Bolden said.

“Notre Dame, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue and a bunch of MAC schools called me.

“I went to Notre Dame’s camp at the beginning of the month. I attended both Northern Illinois and Minnesota’s camp after Notre Dame and both of those schools offered me a scholarship.

“Coach Bray at Minnesota really helped me with my technique and Coach Peterson and I are pretty close. We hit it off right away. Minnesota needs defensive backs and I feel if I go there, I can be successful.

“I really liked Minnesota’s campus and I liked the fact that they are getting their own stadium. The stadium will be ready by the time I’m a junior.

“Northern Illinois is definitely in the picture. My coach (Tony Johnson) is friends with Coach Novak and Coach Sabock. Northern is putting in some new facilites and they are one of the best programs in the MAC.

“My favorites right now are Minnesota, Michigan, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Illinois, Purdue and I’m really interested in North Carolina.”

Bolden rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior and he was the quarterback of the Wildkits defensive backfield. Evanston coach Tony Johnson says that Bolden is the team leader.

“Michael is a Big Ten level prospect as a corner at any school.” Coach Johnson told Scout.com “Michael has nice height for a corner. He can run with fast receivers and defend the taller receivers. He'll be getting the ball a lot on offense as well. He’s our team leader.”

Bolden isn’t done with camps this summer.

“I’m leaving Sunday for Michigan with my teammates, Nickcaro Golding and Kendale Farlow.” Bolden said.

“We’re going to camp at Michigan and Michigan State. We’re also going to visit Eastern, Western and Central Michigan.

“I’m camping at Illinois on June 21st and Northwestern on June 22nd. In July, I’m going to try and get down to North Carolina to check out Chapel Hill. I hear it’s beautiful down there.”