Meet Prince Bolden

Brandon Scobey

Sep 11, 2024

Name: Prince Bolden

Position: Running Back

Hometown: Ruskin, Florida

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 195 lbs

Class: 2025

Early Life and Upbringing:

Prince Bolden was born and raised in Ruskin, Florida, a small town just south of Tampa. The middle child of five, Prince grew up in a close-knit family, where sports were a way of life. His father, a former high school athlete who played linebacker, introduced him to football when he was five. His mother worked as a nurse, instilling in him the values of discipline and hard work from an early age. Although they weren’t wealthy, Prince’s parents always found a way to support his passion for football.

Ruskin is a town where football reigns supreme, and from a young age, Prince stood out on the gridiron. His first organized football experience came through a local Pop Warner league, where his natural speed and vision quickly caught the eye of coaches. By the time he entered middle school, it was clear that football wasn’t just a hobby for Prince – it was his way out.

Growing up, Prince faced challenges. Like many rural areas, Ruskin didn’t offer the resources of big cities, so Prince had to make do with what was available. He and his friends would create makeshift training programs, running drills on patches of grass or working out in their backyards. His work ethic became legendary in his neighborhood. Prince’s love for the game only grew when he watched players like Dalvin Cook and LeSean McCoy, two of his biggest idols, tear up defenses at both the college and pro levels.

High School Career:

Prince attended Lennard High School in Ruskin, where he became the heartbeat of the football team. He didn’t get much playing time as a freshman, but by his sophomore year, he had already cemented his spot as the starting running back. He rushed for over 800 yards and 12 touchdowns in his sophomore season, making a name for himself as one of the most explosive backs in the region. Coaches raved about his combination of speed and power, especially in a small-town high school with limited resources.

His junior year is when things took off. Prince racked up 1,600 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, earning him All-County and All-State honors. Recruiters started to take notice of his ability to hit the hole quickly and break tackles, all while showing a high football IQ. He wasn’t just a runner; he developed into a capable receiver out of the backfield and excelled in pass protection.

Despite his success, Bolden stayed humble. He credited his teammates and coaches, and despite being from a small town, he carried himself with confidence but never arrogance.

Recruitment Process:

By the time he hit his senior year, Prince Bolden had offers from a mix of mid-tier Power Five programs and a few Group of Five schools. As a three-star recruit, he didn’t garner the attention of some of the country’s top programs, but his hard-nosed running style and versatility attracted the attention of several schools.

The schools that offered him included:

University of South Florida (USF)
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Louisville
Wake Forest
Kansas State
Indiana
Coastal Carolina

USF was the hometown school, and they made a strong push, with their coaches frequently attending his games and inviting him to camps. UCF, on the other hand, offered the appeal of playing in a larger market and being part of a team that was making noise in the AAC. Prince appreciated the chance to be part of a program on the rise.

Kansas State also became an interesting option for Prince, as they had a history of developing under-the-radar recruits into stars, particularly at the running back position.

Dream School:

Growing up, Prince always had his eyes on the University of Florida. He dreamed of playing in The Swamp under the bright lights of the SEC. He attended games as a fan and even went to summer camps in Gainesville, hoping to impress. But as a three-star recruit, he understood the realities of the recruiting game and realized that it might not be the right fit if they didn’t offer him the chance to contribute early.

Decision and Future:

After much deliberation and several visits, Prince Bolden committed to UCF. He loved the combination of staying close to home while playing for a team that valued his skillset. UCF also gave him the chance to be part of a team transitioning to the Big 12, meaning he’d still get to play against Power Five competition. Bolden felt that UCF offered him the best opportunity to showcase his talents and develop as a player, with a real shot at making it to the NFL.

In his commitment speech, Prince talked about how proud he was to represent his hometown of Ruskin and Lennard High. He mentioned how football was his ticket to a better future and how he couldn’t wait to prove himself at the next level. Fans of UCF are excited to see what Bolden will bring to the Knights, hoping that he can be the next great running back in their program’s history.

Final Rankings:

247Sports: No. 62 running back nationally
Rivals: No. 73 player in Florida

Brandon Scobey is a Featured Columnist for Four Verts: An CFB 25 Substack. He also writes for The League Winners covering the Steelers and Sooners.He currently is a junior at Florida A&M University. Follow him on X and Instagram at yoitsbrandonfr.