KFBCA Top 11: Julius Bolden
KFBCA Top 11: Wichita Northwest running back Julius Bolden, #5 (Photo courtesy Northwest Grizzly Football)
The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams December 6th and 7th, including their Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Wichita Northwest running back Julius Bolden's capsule below and check back for more capsules throughout the week.
Julius Bolden, RB, 5-11, 195, Wichita Northwest, Sr.
Wichita has a long, rich history of great running backs to come from their high school ranks. Barry Sanders, Jeff Smith, DeAngelo Evans, Bryce Brown, Dreamius Smith and current Iowa State standout, and Wichita Northwest grad, Breece Hall, just to name a few.
Northwest standout Julius Bolden followed Hall in Grizzly backfield and appears to have every tool it takes to be the next in a long line of Sedgwick County running backs with the ability to make your jaw drop.
Throughout the last two seasons of Bolden’s career, game-breaking plays seem to be a habit. Both seasons saw Bolden average in excess of nine yards per carry, which helped culminate in consecutive state championship berths for the Grizzlies. With a reported laser timed 40-yard dash of 4.41 seconds, Bolden has no issue finding a seam, and once he has done that, good luck running him down.
“Julius’s nickname was ‘Juice’ and you could see why when he exploded and broke long runs,” Northwest coach Steve Martin said. “Juice could take it to the house at any time during the game!”
Once you get past the mind-blowing yards per carry stat, Bolden’s numbers continue to impress. In his final two years as a Grizzly, Bolden rushed for a total of 3,021 yards and ran in 53 touchdowns in just 24 games. His two stellar seasons led him to recognition from around the region including a spot on the KFBCA Top 11.
Bolden is one of four Northwest players to sign with Division I college football programs earlier this month. He’ll head to Northern Illinois to play his college ball and Northwest defensive back Wetu Kalomo will join him there.
The KFBCA Top 11* and All-State selections consist of seniors from the Class of 2021 nominated and voted on by members of the Kansas Football Coaches Association. For more info about the KFBCA find them online at www.kfbca.com.
*There are actually 12 Top 11 selections this year because of a tie in voting.