In recent years, consistency with the kick/point return positions has been a bit of a problem for the Minnesota Vikings.
In 2024, the Vikings rank 32nd from 32 NFL teams in Yards per puntress (6.8), and they were 31st in yards per kick referee (24.4). There were a few years in which Kene Nwangwu held the Kick-Return tasks well, but point Returning has constantly seen the Vikings to the lower 10 in the competition.
But now the front office and coaching staff may hope that a Lightning Quick Vikings UDFA may increase their return game a level in 2025.
The Vikings UDFA that could come up with the Retour game of Minnesota new life
That UDFA Silas Bolden is, a broad receiver who drew the Vikings from Texas after the design of this spring.
Bolden mainly played a broad receiver during his collegiate career, but he was also an exciting return man.
The recipient started his collegial career at Oregon State in 2020, but he did not become the consistent kick-returer of the Beavers until 2022. Immediately he burst on the stage in the PAC-12, which led the conference in both Kick Return Yards and Yards led by return.
He returned 22 stairs for 599 Yards, an average of 27.2 meters per return. It came when he also started producing in an attack, catching 23 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns. He also added nine Carry’s for 105 Yards and two more touchdowns.
Bolden then got his first taste of recurring tasks in 2023 while compiling a fantastic season in the attack.
Bolden returned three points that season and returned one of them for a touchdown against UC Davis. He also had 830 meters from scrimmage about attack and seven more touchdowns.
2024 brought a change of environment and a roll change for the rapid recipient. Bolden was transferred to Texas, where he had to play a limited role in the violation in a charged reception room. For the first time he took the full-time point Returner-job and passed with flag and pennant.
Bolden led the SEC in point Returns (30) and point Return Yards (315) while during the Peach Bowl against the Peach Bowl against the state of Arizona, he brought another point.
Of course Jalen Nailor could also take on the role of the point return in Minnesota, but with his attacking role probably increases when Jordan Addison is probably suspended, the Vikings may want to save the legor legor for attack.
Bolden ran a 4.38 40-Yard Dash during his pro-day in Texas, and there is no doubt that he is a talented player who is able to maintain a special team role.
Moreover, Bolden’s speed could open the door for more deep shots across the field of JJ McCarthy to get the top of a defense.
All in all, Vikings fans will want to know the name “Silas Bolden” when the training camp will be rolling next week.
Editors’ note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports reference CFB.
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