Coach Analysis: Nico Bolden
Woodbury head coach Andy Hill breaks down Vanderbilt’s newest football commitment Nico Bolden.
Vandysports.com: What type of player can Vanderbilt expect to see from Nico Bolden?
Andy Hill: “Nico is a very explosive, versatile football player. He primarily played defense for us. We use our Free Safety to make all of our formation adjustment calls, and then once the ball is snapped to be our “plus one” in the box against the run. So Nico has three years of identifying formations, communicating critical information, and then having to make the proper read on the snap of the football to be where he’s supposed to be. He’s a physical tackler and not afraid to come up and make the big hit. This year we used him in our return game and occasionally on offense – he returned one punt for a TD, and three others for a 30+ yard return; and in the KR game he returned 2 kicks for touchdowns and another three for 40+ yard returns. In our conference he was the leading punt returner, kick returner, and was also the Defensive Player of the Year for our conference, which is ironically the SEC (for us it stands for the Suburban East Conference). He only missed two games for us the past two years, but we lost both of those games. That’s a good indication of how important he was for us over the past two seasons.”
VS: What is his best attribute as a Safety? His speed? His instincts? His eyes? His nose for the football? His coverage skills?
AH: “As a free safety, and maybe I mentioned this above, but I would say his greatest attribute is first his ability to identify (presnap) and read, so that he can use his physical gifts to fly to the football and be violent when he arrives. Whereas I think he prefers to play safety, in part because that’s where he’s played the past two seasons (he played some SS as a soph., his physicality and ability to match up with the new-age tight ends makes him a great asset to have as a strong safety or outside linebacker option for Vandy as well.”
VS: What type of leader is he? Is he a vocal leader or is he more of a quiet leader that lets his play do the leading?
AH: “Nico is well-respected by his teammates and coaches. For the most part, he is a quieter leader. However, on the football field he communicates clearly and with authority, as his position required. Off the field he is humble and will work hard for the program – he is respectful and will make good decisions off of the field.”
VS: What's the best individual play you have seen him make in his time at Woodbury?
AH: “That’s a tough question – in every game you can find a few outstanding plays.
One from recent memory comes from our game against our in-town rival, East Ridge. We haven’t beaten them since 2011, and it was his senior class’ last shot at beating them. They were ranked #4 in the state and we were unranked. We kicked off to them, and our defense forced a 3-and-out. When they punted to us (their K/P is the best I’ve ever seen – will play on Sundays in 5 years), it was a deep punt that started rolling deep into our territory. As the opposing cover guys were waiting for the ball to stop rolling, Nico cam swooping in and scooped up the ball (dangerous but daring play) and returned it about 45 yards into ER territory. It was a play that set the tone. Our offense scored on a deep shot on the next play and we rolled from there to a 47-24 victory. But that punt return set the aggressive tone for the night.”
VS: What safety in college or pro does his playing style remind you of and why?
AH: “Great question… I’d go with Kam Chancellor. He’s big, physical, can match up well with the big Tight Ends and receivers that could create match-up problems. Likes to get to the football and make plays. Not sure who Nico would say, but that’s the comparison I think of with this.”