TomVH: Joe Bolden on His Commitment to Michigan

Submitted by TomVH on

I normally don't post anything on a commitment, and don't want to take away from Tim's front page Hello post but I wanted to share what Michigan's newest commit Joe Bolden had to say about Michigan and why he committed.

TOM: There was a Cincinnati journalist that tweeted you were going to make your decision this weekend. I know you said you were undecided earlier, so what made you change your mind?

JOE: Yeah, he tweeted that and I got some phone calls and text messages about it. I told everybody that I wasn't sure. That was for me to keep it on the down low until me and my family had made the decision. I didn't want it to be a big deal, or anything to happen like what happened with Kaleb Ringer in the newspaper. I thought what that reporter did was wrong and I hope he realizes that. It's also just about being humble, too.

TOM: How did you tell the coaches?

JOE: I'm actually on my way back from Ann Arbor right now, we went up there with my siblings and my grandparents. Family was important to me and that's part of why I chose Ann Arbor. I wanted to do it in person because it shows more respect when you say it in person and look someone in the eyes to tell them you're coming to their school.

TOM: When did you really know it was Michigan? Or a better question, you said God gave you some signs that Michigan was the place. What were some of the signs?

JOE: After my second visit up to Michigan with my mom and dad. We had just gotten home about 10:30 at night, and my dad has a twitter account. Someone had tweeted right when he checked it that everything this guy says is gold, and it was about Coach Mattison. That was just one, but it was just odd the timing of everything and what we just saw.

TOM: I know that you're mature for your age, so I'm assuming that Michigan is the only school you'll be looking at? No wavering.

JOE: I'm very solid on it. I wouldn't have made the decision if I wasn't. There were a lot of factors that played into it, and there were some factors on why I did it so early. I thought why wait if it's the right school, with the right people, and I don't see any better opportunity to play college football and get an education.

TOM: Caleb Stacey was trying to convince you to come to Michigan, are you going to reciprocate and try to recruit anyone yourself?

JOE: I'm obviously going to encourage the guys Michigan has offered to choose Michigan because I want the best for my recruiting class and Michigan. At the end of the day it's going to come down to their decision. I'm not in their shoes, they need to do what's best for their family.

Comments

TomVH

April 29th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^

Joe is one of the more mature recruits I've ever talked to. I feel like I'm talking to an adult when we speak on the phone. I think Michigan just got themselves a helluva linebacker, especially between the ears.

azul97

April 29th, 2011 at 4:37 PM ^

"I wanted to do it in person because it shows more respect when you say it in person and look someone in the eyes to tell them you're coming to their school."

This kid's already a winner...

Wolverine0056

April 29th, 2011 at 4:38 PM ^

"I wanted to do it in person because it shows more respect when you say it in person and look someone in the eyes to tell them you're coming to their school."

My favorite part. Thanks TomVH for sharing this interview. I can't wait to see what the future brings for Joe and the Wolverines.

Hoken's Heroes

April 29th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^

.....and honorable. I think he will have no problem defining what a a future Michigan Man is. I also hope Bolden looks opposing QB's in the eye and yells, "I am about to SACK YOUR ASS!" time and time again as a Wolverine.

BTW, all the jerks on there that ripped HOKE when he was named as coach better repent long and hard. Hoke and his staff might be the best damn thing that happened to this football team in a LONG time. The Passion of The Wolverine is back.

BlueTommy

April 29th, 2011 at 9:43 PM ^

Beaver has his standard post that is essentially - The recruit texted us at the same time, we were professional and tried to get a quote, while a free-blog just threw it out there jibber jabber.  Then he goes on trying to explain why TomVH's, MGoBlog, and Rivals names comes up in asterisks over there.  

It's his right to do that as the owner, moderator, whatever the hell he, but it comes across as bitter that they lost the scoop by a few minutes, when you could really just let it go and not come across as petty.

True Blue in CO

April 29th, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^

lessons learned from reading MGo. Nice to hear this from a future Michigan man. More kids like this will take Michigan Football back to the top and help us stay there in the coming years.

Magnus

April 29th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^

Good stuff, Tom.  The more I see/read/hear of Bolden, the more I like him.  I thought it was particularly thoughtful and mature to point out what the reporter did to Kaleb Ringer and say, in no uncertain terms, that it was wrong.  He's not afraid to say what he thinks.

Cigarro Cubano

April 29th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^

Liking what the Defensive Side of the coaching staff is doing.   And there are still 9 months to go !!   Looking forward for new faces to our 2012 recruiting class.

 

 

 

bing24

April 29th, 2011 at 5:14 PM ^

Great pickup and you can just tell this kid handles himself with class. Very impressive when someone this young really gets it about the importance of family and respect.

Welcome to the family Joe, no doubts you're going to be a true Michigan Man

BTW - Can't wait to see you knocking the snot out of OSU RB's!

jethro34

April 30th, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^

While it's been talked about quite a bit if this class could have 4 LBs or not, much of that was before the Cullen transfer.  That should mean another scholarship is available so UM could take 4 LB's (even with as loaded as the position is) and not have to take away from another need.

I think adding Biggs to this LB class (and the previous one) is like the Lions drafting Fairley.  Why not make the position that much stronger?  That type of depth means rotating in fresh players, insurance in case of a (heaven forbid) injury, etc.  I would love to see a strong LB core for the next 4-5 years.

It would just mean zero need whatsoever for LBs in the 2013 class, but then back to getting 1-2 in 2014.

ertai

April 29th, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^

Wait, so his sign from God was a twitter comment? Does this mean that people stalking recruits is actually a good thing instead of being creepy?

brendandavis22

April 29th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^

If Joes football career doesn't go the way we all would like I have a feeling we still have a person who will be great for Michigan football.  He will go on to greatness either on the field or in the classroom (probably both).  I'll take kids like Joe all day long. Go Blue!

TorontoBlue

April 29th, 2011 at 8:34 PM ^

My first thought after reading TVH's interview was that Joe sounds like the walking definition of  "Michigan Man".   Welccome Joe Bolden.  Now help recruit some DL guys of your caliber to make sure the opponent's offense never gets into our backfield!

GO BLUE!

tmwhitt

April 29th, 2011 at 9:28 PM ^

......"Joe Bolden is the best inside linebacker in the state. I do not think it is even close. He has offers from seven Big Ten schools, Penn State, Michigan, Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue. The Buckeyes have not shown a lot of interest. He is a fine player who has some offers outside the region but with that many offers from Big Ten teams the odds he is going to improve the chances of some Big Ten team coming in to knock us off are pretty good. A good number of Cincinnati players go to Boston College. Bolden holds an offer from Boston College."

 

Good to see Ohio lose him to us.

AlwaysBlue

April 29th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^

He took his grandparents and siblings to commit. . .I wonder if that's been done before.  I have a feeling we might hear that story again during a big nationally televised game when the color guy is filling out the profile of one of Michigan leaders on defense.

troublet1969

April 29th, 2011 at 9:57 PM ^

He does seem very mature and very serious about his decision to attend Michigan.  This is one young man that I don't see complaining about playing time or getting homesick and wanting to transfer out after being there a short time.  We have been reading that he was really high on Michigan and it is really good to see it come to pass.  Go Blue and welcome Mr. Bolden!

In reply to by mattpergo

ForestCityBlue

May 2nd, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^

Only a true jerk makes fun of someone's heartfelt faith decisions, especially an earnest, sincere 17 year old who just commited to play football for Michigan. 

WestSider

April 30th, 2011 at 1:55 PM ^

young man, emphasis on the man...This is exactly the type of recruit that is good for UM football. Shows class, integrity, strong family, and intelligence. Hope he blows up at Michigan, and destroys blocks and ball-carriers. Go Blue!

ken725

April 30th, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^

He seems like a really good player with a good head on his shoulders. Im really excited about or linebacking corps for the next couple years.