Ole Miss RB Bolden playing well

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 20, 2009

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Baton Rouge native and Scotlandville High School graduate Brandon Bolden has been overshadowed by his older, more glamorous offensive teammates this season, but he has quietly carved out a nice sophomore season.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound tailback has led Ole Miss in rushing four times this season, with a season- and career-best 105 yards against Southeastern Louisiana. He’s second on the team behind Dexter McCluster with 569 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Bolden has run for 60 yards or more five times.

Bolden has also blossomed as a top receiving threat with 19 catches for 204 yards, both ranking third on the team.

“I’m fine with the role I’m playing on our team as long as we find a way to win,” said Bolden, one of 13 Louisiana natives on the Ole Miss roster. “I’ll get my chances as long as I keep working hard.”

A year ago, when Ole Miss came to Baton Rouge, Bolden said he had butterflies when he stepped on the field at Tiger Stadium. The nerves won’t be there this time around.

“I’m a year older and this is where I wanted to be, so I don’t think about that,” he said.

Besides Bolden, the other Louisiana natives for Ole Miss are fellow Scotlandville High graduate Daverin Geralds, the starting center: QB-WR Danny Blanks, a walk-on from McKinley; FB Ben Bendetto (Metairie); WR Lionel Breaux (New Orleans); CB Marshay Green (Bastrop); K David Hankins (Shreveport); OL Rishaw Johnson (Hammond); S Kendrick Lewis (New Orleans); DE Kentrell Lockett (Hahnville); CB Jeremy McGee (New Orleans); LB Patrick Trahan (New Orleans); and OL Alex Washington (Monroe).

Familiar face

Lockett is very familiar with LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and cornerback Jai Eugene.

Those two played at Destrehan High, while Lockett starred at Hahnville. Besides the epic games the Wildcats and Tigers waged on the football field, Jefferson was also a regular visitor to the Locketts’ house.

“Jordan played AAU basketball with my little brother (Denzel Lockett), and he was over at our place all the time,” Lockett said. “I’ve known him and Jai since we were all little kids.”

It’s no surprise to Lockett that Jefferson has blossomed as a Southeastern Conference quarterback.

“He’s always been real good, but now he’s a lot more mature and confident,” Lockett said. “It was just a matter of time before he became a real good quarterback at this level.”