WATCH: Slade Bolden posts eye-opening 40-yard dash at NFL combine

Alabama receiver Slade Bolden was one of several players to compete at the NFL combine Thursday in Indianapolis. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound receiver impressed during the 40-yard dash to finish with a time of 4.63 seconds.

SLADE 💨💨 @_slade_10 #NFLCombine March 3-6 on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/Vhpy15KZ9Q

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) March 3, 2022

Bolden joined the Crimson Tide in 2018 as a three-star recruit and the No. 96 receiver in that class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. He was mainly a bench player in his first three seasons before taking on a slightly more expanded role in 2021. Bolden set career highs across the board this past season with 42 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns.

During Slade Bolden’s run, the NFL combine commentating crew made note of his relationship with former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. The pair reportedly are best friends and impressed coaches and teammates together on the Crimson Tide’s scout team for several seasons. With Jones now the starter for the New England Patriots, many wonder if the team might try to grab his former teammate as well.

The Patriots could certainly use help at the receiver position after no player surpassed the 1,000-yard mark this past season. Perhaps reuniting Jones and Bolden could provide a spark for the passing attack, though the receiver certainly isn’t expected to be taken in the early rounds.

Bolden is currently listed as the No. 37 receiver according to ESPN’s NFL Draft big board, so he likely won’t hear his name called until the last day. He is the third Crimson Tide receiver listed behind both Jameson Williams (No. 5) and John Metchie III (No. 9).

Thursday marked the first day of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, with receivers, quarterbacks and tight ends going through drills. Running backs and offensive lineman will go on Friday and the combine will conclude Sunday with placekickers and defensive backs. Linebackers and defensive lineman will go on Saturday.