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Speaking of Bolden, his hometown paper says he might be the most versatile player in the SEC.
He is not only the Rebels' leading rusher, narrowly missing 1,000 yards last season, but also their leading receiver with 32 catches last year to 30 for Melvin Harris and 29 for Ja-Mes Logan.
There's a lot of talent in SEC backfields, though, and Bolden didn't find a spot on the coaches' All-SEC team in spite of the fact that there were three squads chosen.
Bolden had more rushing yards and more receiving yards than Florida's Jeff Demps, who found his way onto the second team. Bolden had 976 rushing yards to Demp's 551, 14 rushing touchdowns to Demp's three and 32 catches to Demp's 18.
Bolden also had better numbers than Auburn's Onterio McCalebb, who made the third team.
Bolden will be at Media Days when Ole Miss makes its appearance on Friday. He'll be joined by teammates Bradley Sowell and Kentrell Lockett.
If the Rebels are to surpass the meager expectations many have for them in 2011, Bolden will have to have another strong year.
While the Rebels collectively appear at or near the bottom of many SEC polls, the offensive line is generating a lot of attention, particularly left tackle Bradley Sowell, who was named to the Outland and Lombardi award watch lists, and Aaron Hawkins, who made the Rimington watch list for the nation's top center.
New offensive coordinator David Lee was very clear in the spring that Ole Miss will be a run-first football team, and the line has to live up to its hype. If the guys up front are as good as advertised, a lot of pressure will be taken off an inexperienced quarterback, whether that's Randall Mackey or Barry Brunetti.
And it will allow Bolden – who made the Doak Walker list even if he couldn't find room on the SEC one – to do his thing too.
Ackbar, if there is going to be improvement, the new guys have to make an impact, because the new guys bring the speed that was missing last year. Johnson, Brassell, Singleton come to mind first about possible impact guys. Maybe Keith Lewis at linebacker. Maybe Jamal Mosley if David Lee throws to the tight end. They also need Uriah Grant, the juco transfer, to make some plays on the DL interior.
As far as the schedule, I think Reb84 makes good points on the first and last games, but you guys know it really doesn't matter if you win those, but you're bad in the others. Jacksonville State would have stung far less – would possibly have been forgiven – had the Rebels beaten Vanderbilt, Tennessee and MSU or perhaps just two of those three.
JB
What is the most important game on the schedule this year?
How do they plan on avoiding another opening game collapse this year?
I'm just hoping they can show some passion about BYU during media day if they can't in September.