KANSAS CITY, Mo.- Jackson State student-athlete Isaiah Bolden (DB) was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 National Football League Draft by the New England Patriots.
Bolden (6-2, 205; Sr., Tampa, Fla.), the 245th overall selection, is the 101st NFL Draft pick in Jackson State football history. It is the second consecutive year a JSU football player has been selected in the NFL Draft, joining 2022 sixth-round draft choice James Houston IV by the Detroit Lions.
In 2022 at Jackson State, Bolden made 44 tackles (30 solo), with 2.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, and seven pass breakups while averaging 26.0 yards on kickoff returns. He made career-high nine tackles and had a 31-yard kickoff return vs. Alabama State and tallied five tackles and career-best three pass breakups vs. Alcorn.
Bolden was named to All-SWAC team (second team CB) and the Phil Steele team (fourth team kick returner), and was selected to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
In 2021, Bolden led the nation (both FBS and FCS) in kickoff return average at 36.9 per attempt and tied for FCS lead with two KOR touchdowns, and averaged 10.1 yards on seven punt returns.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
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www.swac.org.