The Wolverine

March 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Colerain had more than one goal when he enrolled early at U-M, but playing early was one of the foremost on his mind. He's doing everything he can to prepare himself for spring and fall camps in an effort to see the field in the opener with Alabama. That includes making the most of every conditioning Michigan freshman linebacker Joe Bolden of Cincinnati Joe Bolden Enrolls Early With A Purpose session, hitting the books hard and preparing for Big Ten football. He and strength coach Aaron Wellman aren't best friends yet, but are "getting there," Bolden said with a chuckle. "It's strenuous, but good," he said. "That's one of the reasons I came in early, to get in and get my body in shape to play Big Ten football. I've gained three pounds [in a month], and I don't think it's fat." Not bad considering he weighed a solid 225 when he arrived on campus. He and the other linebackers have al- ready formed a solid camaraderie, the older guys having shown him the ropes in spending plenty of time with him in the early going. It wasn't size, but football IQ that helped Bolden see the field early at Colerain. Tom Bolden, his uncle and head coach, knew he had to be sure his nephew was worthy before he put a family member on the field as a freshman. Once Joe saw the field, he knew he'd have a hard time re- placing him. "From a physical standpoint, he was more kind of wiry," Tom Bolden remembered. "He was probably 5-11, almost 6-0, maybe 185 pounds. He was a good-sized freshman, but he had that high motor. We were amiss at some spots, and he filled in. Some guys got hurt, and he jumped on the opportunity. We couldn't get him off the field and kind of had to find a spot for him. "Joe showed great instincts in getting to the ball. You see some kids that are great athletes, but just don't have those instincts. He knows the game. He is a very instinc- tive football player, knows where the ball is and goes and gets it." Those traits made Bolden a four-star prospect following Bolden was a captain for the East team at the Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla., and was named the "best tackler" after making seven stops in the contest. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Bolden said. "The atmosphere was unique and a one-time experience. That was the best part." The stage is about to get a lot bigger in the fall, and Bolden knows it. That said, he's also got the spring and summer to improve and the frame to compete. "I think he'll be a Mike [middle] linebacker," Tom his senior year. He rose in most rankings — he is Rivals. com's No. 111 propsect in the country and 247Sports.com's No. 59 overall player nationally — after a solid showing at the Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 5 in St. Pe- tersburg, Fla., where he finished with seven tackles as the East team captain. Rivals.com tabbed him the game's "best tackler," though he was humble about his performance. "It was fun, definitely a unique experience," he said. "Obviously, you want to take advantage of something like that when the opportunity presents itself. I think I could have played a lot better than I did. I missed tackles I usu- ally don't miss, and I was disappointed. I could have done a lot better." But it's in Bolden's make-up to believe he always could have done better. He's an extremely grounded, team-first kid, Tom Bolden said, and it's just his nature to wonder what more he could have done. "The overall game was great and practices were good, 38 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 Bolden said. "He can make plays, and if the Mike's the guy that's making the calls for them up front … he's a hard-nosed kid, he'll step up and fill and whack you, and then he can run side to side. "If he's not ready to play now, by the time the season comes around, he'll put himself in the position physically to do so. I know the voluntary workouts they have on Sat- urday aside from the mandated ones, he goes to those, and I told him better not miss one of those. It's up to Michigan to decide, but if that's what they want from Joe, he'll do everything possible to make sure he's in that position." Finding a school rich with tradition closer to home was one of Bolden's goals when he started getting recruited. He initially thought Notre Dame might be the right fit, but found just what he was looking for at Michigan. Though he's earned his opportunities, he's well aware how blessed he is. "My family is really tight knit," he said. "The opportu- but in the end it's a business trip, not a vacation. You want to go down and win and you want to play your best," nity to play for my uncle was actually special. I'll never get to do it again, but I have made it known to both of my little brothers and all my cousins who will be playing for them to cherish every moment of it. You're never going to experience something like that again." — Chris Balas

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