THE BOLTON FILE
Two-time First-team All-SEC, 2019, 2020
Associated Press Second-team, All-American, 2020
PFWA All-Rookie Team, 2021
By Lenn Robbins
Nick Bolton is somewhat of a mystery man.
Go ahead; do a Google search on the Chiefs linebacker. There’s no mention of the fact that Bolton led all rookies in tackles – by a wide margin - with 111. It wasn’t Micah Parsons, the Cowboys linebacker who won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
After racking up 198 tackles in his last two seasons at Missouri, Bolton slipped to the second round when KC grabbed him with the 58th pick. Unlike many players who then claim to have a chip on their shoulder, Bolton said it was a special moment for him and his family.
Bolton sees things a little differently than a lot of athletes. His mother and sister both battled cancer which clearly had a profound effect on the 5-foot-11, 237-pound linebacker. Considered undersized by NFL standards, Bolton has had to fight for every opportunity.
He goes into his second season with a chance to emerge as the leader on what figures to be a very good defense. By the end of the 2022 season, Bolton likely won’t be a mystery to anyone.