NoCal DB has eight offers

Four star defensive back/wide receiver Bernard Bolden (5-9, 185, 4.45) from Merced, Calif., has eight offers on the table. He didn't hit the camp circuit too hard this summer because he went to summer school to shore up his academics.

"Bernard had a pretty good offseason," Merced coach Rob Scheidt said. "He didn't go to many camps this summer because we wanted him to go to summer school. He did well and helped him out a lot. If Bernard does well this year in school and gets a qualifying SAT he should be good to go."

"Bernard did go to Cal's camp with our team," Scheidt said. "Cal is probably his first choice."

The other schools besides Cal that have offered and hope to get Bolden's signature this February are Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington State, Colorado, Nebraska, and San Diego State.

Bolden has the versatility that D-I schools like. He played 14 games as a cornerback his sophomore season and 12 games as a safety his junior year. Though he is mostly being recruited as a cornerback, some schools are going to watch his offensive output this season. Some schools thought they could use him in the slot or at running back.

As a defensive back, Bolden has drawn comparisons to Bob Sanders of the Indianapolis Colts because of his knockout hitting ability.

Bolden earned all-Northern California, all-State underclassmen, all-area, all-district and was League Defensive Player of the Year honors as a junior from his safety position after racking up 63 tackles and four picks. He returned one of his interceptions back to the house for a score.

From his running back position, Bolden rushed for 560 yards on 63 carries and nine touchdowns. He also had five receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown.

As a punt returner, Bolden had 113 yards on nine returns with a long of 77 yards and one touchdown. He returned four kicks for 172 yards with a long of 90 yards and another touchdown.

In an earlier interview with Scheidt he had the following to say about his hard hitting athlete.

"Bernard is very good in space and has great instincts and closing speed," Scheidt said. "In his first two games, he picked off four passes and returned one for a touchdown.

"After the first two games our opposition stopped throwing to the middle of the field," Scheidt said. "I can only remember one other pass thrown down the middle.

Bolden also has bloodlines. His cousin is Kevin Bland who is currently at Fresno City College and is getting recruiting action from Washington, Cal, USC and Fresno State.

Bolden was selected to the Rivals.com Rivals250 team for the class of 2009. He also is a member of the Rivals.com California Preseason Top 100 team landing as the Golden State's No. 27 prospects as any position.