A Lightning Quick Vikings UDFA Could Turn Heads in Training Camp

Sep 28, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns receiver Silas Bolden (11) takes the field ahead of the game against Mississippi State Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron E. Martinez/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Over the past few years, consistency at the kick/punt returner positions has been a bit of an issue for the Minnesota Vikings.

In 2024, the Vikings ranked 32nd out of 32 NFL teams in yards per punt return (6.8), and they were 31st in yards per kick return (24.4). There were a couple years where Kene Nwangwu held down the kick return duties well, but punt returning has continuously seen the Vikings rank among the bottom-10 in the league.

Now, though, the front office and coaching staff may be hoping that a lightning quick Vikings UDFA may be able to bring their return game up a level in 2025.

The Vikings UDFA Who Could Revive Minnesota’s Return Game

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Silas Bolden (11) runs the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (0) runs to defend in the second quarter as the Texas Longhorns play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Jan. 10, 2025.

That UDFA is Silas Bolden, a wide receiver who the Vikings signed out of Texas following this spring’s draft.

Bolden primarily played wide receiver throughout his collegiate career, but he also was an electrifying return man.

The receiver began his collegiate career at Oregon State in 2020, but he didn’t become the Beavers’ consistent kick returner until 2022. Immediately, he burst onto the scene in the PAC-12, leading the conference in both kick return yards and yards per return.

He returned 22 kicks for 599 yards, an average of 27.2 yards per return. It came as he also began producing on offense, catching 23 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns. He also added nine carries for 105 yards and two more touchdowns.

Apr 16, 2022; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Silas Bolden (22) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the Oregon State spring football game at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports.

Bolden then got his first taste of punt returning duties in 2023 while putting together another fabulous season on offense.

Bolden returned three punts that season, returning one of them for a touchdown against UC Davis. He also had 830 yards from scrimmage on offense and seven more touchdowns.

2024 brought a change of scenery and a change of role for the speedy receiver. Bolden transferred to Texas where he had to take more of a limited role on offense in a loaded receiver room. For the first time, he took on the full-time punt returner job and passed with flying colors.

Bolden led the SEC in punt returns (30) and punt return yards (315) while taking another punt to the house during the Peach Bowl against Arizona State.

Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Silas Bolden (11) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Of course, Jalen Nailor also could take on the punt return role in Minnesota, but with his offensive role likely increasing when Jordan Addison is probably suspended, the Vikings may want to save Nailor’s legs for offense.

Bolden ran a 4.38 40-yard dash during his Pro Day at Texas, and there is no doubt he is a talented player capable of holding down a special teams role.

Additionally, Bolden’s speed could open the door to more deep shots down the field from J.J. McCarthy to take the top off of a defense.

All in all, Vikings fans will want to know the name ā€œSilas Boldenā€ when training camp gets rolling next week.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.

Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey

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