Patriots Mac Jones' College Roommate Gets NFL Opportunity
Despite modeling his game after Julian Edelman, wide receiver Slade Bolden won't have the chance to play in the same uniform as the New England Patriots legend or reunite with his college quarterback.
But according to a report from NFL Network over the weekend, the Atlanta Falcons signed the 24-year-old wide receiver.
During their time at Alabama, Bolden and New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones were not only teammates but also roommates. Bolden's strong connection to Jones and his comparisons to Edelman made him a highly anticipated prospect to join the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. Jones even made a pitch to the Pats to draft him. However, despite the high expectations, Bolden went undrafted and eventually signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Unfortunately, Bolden's initial season with the Ravens did not unfold as expected. The wide receiver encountered a setback when he suffered a sports hernia injury in August, leading to his placement on the injured reserve list. His journey took another turn when the Ravens decided to release him in October.
In March, the former Alabama standout, Bolden, returned to Tuscaloosa to participate in the university's pro day. Although pro days primarily cater to NFL Draft prospects, they also offer a chance for undervalued free agents to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts. This proved pivotal for Bolden, as it led to a tryout opportunity with the Falcons during their minicamp. Impressively, his performance during the tryout ultimately secured a contract with the team.
Bolden's hard work and determination have paid off, solidifying his opportunity to leave a lasting impact in the NFL as a member of the Falcons.
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