Heavily recruited QB Robert Bolden considering Michigan State

By Sam Webb
Special to the Detroit News

The countdown has begun for Orchard Lake St. Mary's quarterback Robert Bolden. During the winter and spring the dual-threat quarterback received more than 25 offers and emerged as one of the most heavily recruited prospects in Michigan. Recently, though, he decided to trim his list of suitors.

"He's probably still down to five or six schools," said Bolden's father, Robert Sr. "I want to get him out to Oregon to see what it's like and see what they have to offer. Louisville as well. As soon as we see those two schools, a decision will be made."

Joining Oregon and Louisville on the list of finalists are Michigan State, Penn State, Northwestern and Vanderbilt. Though Bolden claims there's no leader , recent gossip suggests Michigan State and Penn State are in very strong position heading down the homestretch. Both certainly gained positive momentum in April.

"(The Spartans) are definitely on him," the elder Bolden told Scout.com. "They are probably on him harder than anybody else. (Their interest) wasn't a real general, 'We like you, so maybe you can come here,' it was, 'We love you!' That set them aside from a lot of the other schools."

The Boldens also enjoyed their unoffical visit to Penn State.

"The campus is beautiful," the younger Bolden said. "It is a big school in a small city. You walk right around the corner and downtown is right there. The campus is nice and the people are nice."

Enough playing time?

Both programs have done an impressive job of overcoming the challenge their quarterback depth charts seemingly presented. Michigan State currently has three young quarterbacks in the mix in redshirt sophomores Keith Nichol and Kirk Cousins, and incoming freshman Andrew Maxwell. Penn State, meanwhile, landed former Michigan commitment Kevin Newsome last season and a five star commitment for its 2010 class, McKees Rocks (Pa.) quarterback Paul Jones.

"(Michigan State) would redshirt for a year without a doubt," the elder Bolden said. "Those two guys are ahead of him so they didn't see him playing right off. I didn't have a problem with that and he didn't have a problem with that. It would be up to him to get in there and make it happen.

"Penn State is a little different than at Michigan State because Daryl Clark will be gone when he got there. So he'll probably come in with the freshman (Jones) as well the other kid there (Newsome) and compete. But I'll put him against anybody."

Does MSU have the edge?

Close recruiting races often go to the home school, but the elder Bolden warns against giving too much credence to proximity.

"I could care less about (distance)," he said. "I got him out of the house early, so him being away from home and that homesick thing shouldn't be an issue. He's used to being away from home already, so he can look hard at a school like Oregon. Oregon has him as their number one guy. They want him more than anybody else (on their list), constantly keeping in contact with him. At this point, (Oregon's chances) come down to getting out there, getting in front of them, and getting a good feel for them.

"Probably the top (factors) will be, being able to play and being comfortable in the environment."

That's largely why Bolden is so intent on making his decision soon. He doesn't want potential recruiting distractions to disrupt his quest to improve upon St. Mary's record. Once his commitment is in the books his focus can shift toward trying to convince St. Mary's coach George Porritt to air it out more frequently.

"I've been in his ear about it," the younger Bolden told Scout.com. "With Coach Porritt, he's going to do what he needs to do (to win) -- but we've been talking about it, and he says he will let me open it up a little more. So we'll see."

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