With the 245th pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden.
It made Bolden the first HBCU player to be taken in the draft.
In addition, Bolden is the first defensive back out of Jackson State to be taken in the NFL Draft since Rashard Anderson in 2000.
The Tigers defender transferred to Jackson State in 2020 after spending two seasons at Florida State.
Bolden’s ballin’@isaiahbolden23 | @GoJSUTigersFB pic.twitter.com/NYH1bGe7wC
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 29, 2023
In his first full season with the team in the fall of 2021, he made an immediate impact as a return specialist, leading the FCS with 36.9 yards per kick return and two touchdowns.
He was named to the FCS All-American second team one of three players for Jackson State to be selected.
Bolden got an opportunity to play more defensive snaps in 2022, finishing with 44 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. He was named to the All-SWAC second team.
The All-American posted great numbers at his Pro Day, recording a 4.31 time in the 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical leap.
There were hints in the days leading up to the draft that Bolden could potentially be selected by New England after he met with the team earlier this month.
