'I think he's fearless': Silas Bolden draws comparisons to Steve Smith from Steve Sarkisian
Silas Bolden hasn’t been on the 40 Acres long, but he has put himself in position to be one of several difference-makers on the 2024 Texas Longhorns.
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That process began following his summer arrival after remaining in Corvallis, Ore. during the spring to complete his bachelor’s degree. Upon his arrival, he consistently made plays during summer workouts and player-run practices to where the idea of him being one of the Longhorns’ top playmakers at a listed 5-foot-8, 160 pounds became realistic.
When Texas took the field Wednesday for its first practice of the pre-season, Bolden further solidified his likely standing as a player the Longhorns will rely on for important plays during the 2024 season.
Bolden, who filled a do-it-all role for the Beavers in 2023, tallied 746 receiving yards and five touchdown catches for an OSU team that went 8-5 with two ranked wins. It was the third consecutive winning season for the Beavers, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since they had four straight over .500 years from 2006 to 2009.
Bolden was also a special teams X-factor for the Beavs. Over the past two seasons, Bolden recorded over 1000 kick return yards and added a punt returned for a touchdown.
After three strong years in the Pac-12, he transferred to Texas. Prevailing wisdom at the time of his commitment penciled Bolden into a role similar to the one Keilan Robinson played. Instead, No. 11’s work over the summer and in day one at camp has put him in position to be one of the go-to offensive playmakers on the Longhorns.
In an era of bigger, faster, stronger, what makes the 5-foot-8 Bolden so effective on a talent-laden Longhorns team?
“I think he’s fearless first of all,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said on Wednesday. “A lot of those guys that aren’t the biggest players, I think of like a Steve Smith who was a fearless receiver at Utah and in the NFL. Silas is fearless.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Bolden was targeted in the middle of the field 44 times in 2023. He tallied 29 receptions for 371 yards and two scores in 13 games. To compare, Xavier Worthy had 33 receptions for 468 yards and three touchdowns across 14 games.
Sarkisian made sure to praise Worthy often throughout the course of the current Chief’s Texas career for what he described as “contact courage.” Despite his 5-foot-11, 165-pound stature, Worthy played like he had three more inches of height and 30 more pounds on his frame.
Sarkisian sees something similar in Bolden.
“He’s not afraid to do any of the dirty work,” Sarkisian said. “He’ll run all the route tree. He plays tough. He plays hard, but he also uses his strengths to his ability. He’s cat quick. He’s fast in the open field. He trusts his speed. He’s elusive, but at the end of the day he doesn’t shy away from contact.”
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“I think that’s the key ingredient for a guy that’s not the biggest player. He’s got to be brave. He’s got to have courage. He’s got to be fearless, and that’s what he has.”
