Former Jackson State football player Isaiah Bolden improves NFL Draft stock at Pro Day

Former Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden didn’t ask for former coach Deion Sanders’ theme song "Here I Go" by Mystikal. He did one better. He dropped the mic on his Pro Day workout.

Bolden has been generating buzz among the 27 NFL scouts (and one from Canada) who attended his Pro Day on Monday. Bolden ran what would have been the third-fastest 40-yard dash time for a defensive back during the NFL Combine early this month. His stock continues to rise as Bolden as scouts asked to meet one-on-one with Bolden after his workout.

Bolden, who began his career at Florida State, ran 4.31 in the 40-yard dash, which would have been behind only D.J. Turner of Michigan (4.26) and Jakorian Bennet of Maryland (4.3), as witnessed by Light On Sports Twitter account.

“Today, I made me some money,” Bolden said. “I proved the doubters wrong. I had a mentality and an edge to me. People were critiquing what I was going to run and what I was going to jump. I did everything they thought I was going to do.”

Coming into his Pro Day, Bolden said he had a chip on his shoulder and it helped him do well. He felt that he did everything well during his workout. Bolden said he woke up the people who were sleeping on him, proving his doubters wrong.

After the season, Bolden played against FBS players in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

During the first series in the game, Bolden broke up a pass in the end zone. He stated the defense was in zone coverage in which was responsible for an area of the field, and he tried to bait the quarterback to throw the out route. But the quarterback threw the pass short, and Bolden broke on the ball to break up the pass.

What is next for him is private workouts with teams and Draft Day.

“I came in here to do what I had to do,” Bolden said. “I am hearing that I will be drafted anywhere from the third to fifth round.”

The 6-foot-2 Bolden is valuable because of his length, speed and versatility. He can trail receivers from side to side, line up in the slot, and play either side of the field.

USFL TEAM DRAFTS BOLDENJackson State's Isaiah Bolden picked by Memphis Showboats in the second round of the USFL draft

ISAIAH BOLDEN TURNING PROJackson State football player Isaiah Bolden turning pro, selected for NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

JSU HAS 27 NFL TEAMS ATTEND PRO DAYJackson State football attracts 27 NFL teams to pro day, even without Deion Sanders

In 13 games this season, Bolden had 30 solo tackles and seven pass breakups. He also excelled on special teams as a kickoff returner. In his junior season, he led the nation (both FBS and FCS) in kickoff return average at 36.9 per return and tied for FCS lead with kickoff returns.

Bolden was named to the All-Southwestern Conference second-team cornerback and Phil Steele (fourth-team kick returner). In 2021, he was first-team All-SWAC and FCS All-American as a return specialist.

The NFL Draft will be held April 27-’29 in Kansas City, Missouri.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Jackson State CB Isaiah Bolden helped NFL draft stock at Pro Day