Name: Nick Bolton           

School: Missouri 

Year:  Junior 

Position: Linebacker 

Measurements:  6’0 232lbs 

STATS:

General Info:  

From Frisco, Texas. Attended Lone Star High School. Father Carlos played linebacker at Louisiana Tech from ’89- ‘93. Plays football for his sister who had a brain tumor when she was a teenager and could no longer play sports. A three-star prospect coming out of high school. Rated the #33 linebacker in his class. Had 130 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and five interceptions as a high school senior. Chose Missouri over Mississippi State, Boston College, Colorado, Houston, Utah, Indiana, and Kansas. Was originally a University of Washington commit, but switched on signing day over some confusion with his offer. Played in all 13 games as a freshman. Played the weakside spot. Played special teams as well. As a Sophomore he started every game and he earned a grade of 91.1 from PFF, the top graded LB in the SEC. Finished with 107 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 8 passes defensed. Both in the same game and one which he returned for a touchdown in their win over West Virgina. His junior year he totaled 95 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, and 5 passes defensed. 

Positional Skills: 

Positives: 

Negatives:  

Fit with the Packers:

If drafted by the Packers he would compete with Kamal Martin for the weakside linebacker spot next to Barnes as a rookie. Because of his issues with getting off blocks and locating the ball that should keep him at the weakside spot unless he really improves those weaknesses amongst others. His lack of size, problems finding the ball, reading the flow and attacking the right gap, and getting off blocks limit his effectiveness as a 3-4 inside linebacker. It is possible that he can improve in those areas. He would be a better fit as a 4-3 weakside linebacker with his skill set. He would not have to deal with offensive linemen very often. He would also be on the open side so it would be easier for him to find the ball. It would also allow him to ‘see ball, get ball’ and to use his coverage skills against running backs and occasional tight ends. For him to be effective in a 3-4 he will need linemen in front of him that will keep blockers off him that would then allow him to flow to the ball. And use his explosiveness and hitting ability to attack. As a 3-4 inside linebacker, he probably should go in the 2nd-3rd round.