The Story of Brandon Bolden: Proving the Doubters Wrong

Derek Stephens

Senior Analyst Written on April 22, 2009

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 22: Brandon Bolden #34 of the Ole Miss Rebels dives for a touchdown against the Louisiana State University Tigers on November 22, 2008 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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Add former four-star upcoming junior Cordera Eason to the mix, and the competition was stiff for the Rebs.

As Bolden graduated, he headed to Oxford to start summer sessions. Was a redshirt to come? Nutt had already stated he needed depth in the backfield, considering BenJarvus Green-Ellis's departure. In all likelihood, Nutt explained, all running backs signed might not receive a redshirt.

As summer sessions went on and workouts started, word got out to the public that Bolden was outshining other running backs in workouts.

As the first game arrived, Bolden was ready. At the end of the day of Ole Miss' convincing 41-24 opening victory over Memphis, Bolden was the leading rusher with 76 yards on eight carries and one touchdown.

From that point on, Ole Miss looked to see a star rise. Against Florida, he proved he was worthy, rushing for 55 yards on 13 carries. Against LSU, he didn't get many carries, but he did earn a touchdown in front of his hometown crowd in a 31-13 stomping victory over the Tigers.

It wasn't until the Cotton Bowl, however, that he broke out.

Bolden earned his first 100-yard game versus Texas Tech on 11 carries and added a convincing 17-yard touchdown run, what was probably the sealer, putting the Rebs up 38-21. He also added his career-long run of 44 yards in the Cotton Bowl as well.

Bolden received at least eight carries in eight games at a stacked running back position and ended up third in the total rushing department, behind Eason and Dexter McCluster, and scored a touchdown in five games. He also became a receiving target, adding 107 yards receiving with 10 receptions.

Coming into spring practice for the upcoming 2009 season, to-be sophomore Brandon Bolden sits at No. 1 on the depth chart. During the spring game, Bolden added 50 yards on only four carries and a touchdown to lead the Blue team ahead.

Bolden looks as a sophomore to be the No. 1 running back for a team that is a probable top 10 preseason team. Hard work really does pay off.

Derek Stephens is the Ole Miss Community Leader for BleacherReport.com. You can ask questions below or reach him on his bulletin board. Be sure to check out his new blog, OleMissAthletics.net, for your up-to-date Ole Miss athletic updates.

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written on April 22, 2009 Opinion