Alabama Football: 2018 Recruiting Class Signee, Slade Bolden

Alabama football offensive coaches believe All-Purpose player, Slade Bolden has the potential to be a game-changing talent for the Crimson Tide.

Slade Bolden is a good example of Alabama football coaches disregarding the Recruiting Star rating of players. The primary rating agencies, Rivals and 247Sports do a good job but it is more detailed evaluations by the Tide coaching staff that determine offers.

Slade Bolden’s composite rating, provided by 247Sports does not suggest a potential to become an Alabama football game-changer. Bolden was rated as a 3-Star All-Purpose Back, the No. 11 APB in the nation and the No. 477 player overall. When LSU offered Bolden last March, he was rated only the No. 46 player in the state of Louisiana. Despite that less than lofty rating, Bolden already had close to 20 offers.

Coach Ed Orgeron called Bolton a “missing piece” the LSU offense needed. The problem for some coaches was trying to decide just where the Bolden piece fit into their schemes. At West Monroe High School in West Monroe, LA, Bolden played QB, RB, WR and DB.

Alabama football did not offer Bolden until May. At that point, Bolden was rated the No. 647 Overall player in the nation. Until Slade attended camp in Tuscaloosa in mid-July, he still considered LSU his ‘dream’ offer.

Slade impressed at the Alabama football camp and the Tide coaches impressed him. Tide OC, Brian Daboll explained how he wanted to use Slade in the Tide offense. Listening to Daboll first and later Saban, Slade decided his ‘dream’ offer was not LSU. From 247Sports,

"To Coach Daboll, a slot receiver is like a whole other position, it’s a different mindset. You’ve got to be able to find holes in the defense and settle in, run quick routes, have great hands, and not be afraid to take a lick. He sees me as some of the guys he’s worked with in New England."

Being suggested for a role similar to Patriots’ stars, Wes Welker and Julian Edelman is heady stuff for a high school player. It did not take Bolden long to decide he wanted to be part of Daboll’s future offenses. He committed two weeks after the Tuscaloosa camp.

Check out some of his junior highlights below.

There are two more reasons to excite Alabama football fans. Bolden is a superb student with a 4.0 GPA. He was also named the 2017 Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year. Forget about him being the No. 477 Overall player in the nation. Slade Bolden has a good chance of becoming a Tide football superstar.

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

In a few years, the ’30 Great’ list above may need editing to add the name, Slade Bolden. Alabama football fans welcome Slade to the 2018 Crimson Tide.