Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell and staff dipped back into the fertile local recruiting market on Sunday night with the commitment of 3 star LB Kyle Bolden of Colerain.

The Bolden name is synonymous with high school football in the Queen City, and the newest bearcat jumped on board in part because he can sense a bright future in store for the Bearcats.

“It’s amazing,” Bolden told BCJ shortly after making his commitment announcement. “The atmosphere has changed and it’s definitely a new era in Cincinnati football. We’re going to win a lot of games and I think everybody in town feels it.”

Fickell and lead recruiter Marcus Freeman haven’t been in contact with Bolden for long, but like everything else they have shown since arriving to town, they made a strong impression right away and built from there.

“I built a relationship with the staff very fast,” said Bolden. “It was a relationship I felt comfortable with and I felt like we can win and change the program around. The new staff influenced my decision a great amount, and also the players. I know most of these guys didn’t come from this new staff, but they are great guys and I can see myself around them every day.”

The excitement from the returning players on the roster was once again a big factor as we have seen since official visits started, but Bolden wasn’t surprised to see his future teammates had bought in just as quickly as he did himself.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Bolden said. “I’ve only been recruited by them for 2-3 weeks now and I’m already bought in 100%. They are great coaches, they know what they are doing and it’s exciting. I’m not surprised by anyone that has bought in already from recruits to the returning players.”

For some recruits they are looking to get away from their hometown, but playing in Cincinnati in front of family and friends felt like the perfect fit for the 6-foot-1 220 pound linebacker.

“There’s not many places you go to like Cincinnati,” said Bolden. “From downtown to campus it’s just amazing. It felt like home to me, and that’s the biggest factor in my commitment in such a short relationship with this staff.”

On Friday night of the official visit weekend Bolden was part of the trip to Great American Ballpark for a private dinner. It not only showed him the support of the city behind the program, but allowed for a more intimate setting to get to know everyone as well.

“Going to the Diamond Club showed the connection this program has with everyone around the city,” said Bolden. “It’s nice knowing everyone in this city is supporting you. It was nice to go somewhere and just be us as we get to know the coaches and the players. It was a great experience.”

While Freeman was the lead recruiter, some credit should also go to redshirt freshman LB Ty Sponseller from Mason. The promising local product hosted Bolden on his visit and the two hit it off instantly.

“He’s a great guy,” Bolden said. “Ty was also a huge reason for me, and how I fell in love with UC so quick. He’s a great guy and he did a tremendous job being my host and showing me around and meeting people. I already feel like I’ve made a life long friend in Ty.”

Up next is joining forces with guys like Jarell White and Cole Smith as the spread the word about what is happening at Cincinnati to their talented friends around the city.

“We’ve got to get these Cincinnati kids in from every class,” said Bolden. “The local kids have to be the heart and the body of this program, and I think that’s what coach Fickell and his staff are building up. They want a lot of Cincinnati kids in to lead the new movement, and I think you have to watch out for the future of UC football.”

On the field it is clear Bolden has spent his entire life around the game, and is the type of kid you want calling the shots in the middle of a defense.

“I’m definitely a student of the game,” said Bolden. “I spend a lot of time watching film and learning tendencies, and I think that helps me out on the field. I’m not the biggest dude, but I know where the play is going and a lot of time in high school i knew where the play was going before the ball was snapped. I think taking that aspect into college football will help learning this defense and benefit me. I’d say I’m a play caller that can get guys in the right position to make plays also, and that’s a part of my game that I take a lot of pride in.”



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