Duo Of Gurvan Hall And Bubba Bolden At Safety Should Have Miami Fans Excited

Whenever anybody talks about the Miami Hurricanes defense, the first names that are always brought up are Gregory Rousseau and Quincy Roche, and rightfully so, these two form probably the best duo at defensive end in college football. While I'm excited beyond belief to watch Rousseau and Roche play together, I'm equally eager for the duo of safeties Bubba Bolden and Gurvan Hall Jr.

Last season, Bolden finally was able to start playing in week-five, and instantly had an impact on Miami’s secondary. Sadly, Bolden’s 2019 was cut short after just five games, when he suffered an injury following an interception against FSU. In those five games, Bolden had 11 tackles, one pass breakup, one interception and one forced-fumble.

Now, reports are coming out that Bolden is ahead of schedule when it comes rehabbing his injury, and I could not be more thrilled. Even back when he was in high school in Las Vegas, I knew of Bubba Bolden, and then when he announced that he’d be transferring from USC, I knew Miami had to get him.

As an athlete and a pure football player, Bolden is ahead of most guys on the field. I say it all the time when I'm talking about Bolden, but he has what I call “Sunday talent,” and I probably don't have to explain too much what that means. His playmaking skills is what sets him apart from other safeties, and he could end up one of the best at the position to come through Miami in a number of years.

What also excited me about Bolden coming to Miami, is the duo of him and Gurvan Hall back there at safety. I’ve been a fan of Hall since he was a freshman, and have always believed he’d develop into a real good starter for the Canes. Last year as a sophomore, Hall started 11 games, had 66 tackles (2nd on team), two sacks and one interception, earning third-team All-ACC honors.

While his inexperience was showcased early in 2019, Hall improved throughout the year and became Miami’s top safety. Now that he’s been a starter for a season already, 2020 is the year where Hall, hopefully, takes that next step, and establishes himself as one of the best safeties in the ACC.

Though Bolden will have to beat out Amari Carter for the other starting job, I see Bubba being the fellow safety lined up next to Hall in the secondary. As a duo, they’ll compliment each other well, with Bolden being the playmaker, and Hall showing all-around skills with his tackling ability and also range in pass coverage.

I’ve been saying it for a long time, and I haven’t been the only one, that Bolden and Hall have the potential to be one of the best safety duos in the country. Miami is still trying to replace Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine, and I think Bolden and Hall are the answer.

If the Hurricanes wish to achieve their goal in 2020 and compete for the ACC Coastal, Hall and Bolden are going to have to secure the secondary. Cornerback and linebacker are two positions already being questioned and doubted, the emergence of these two safeties would help immensely for Manny Diaz’s defense.