Silas Bolden

Silas Bolden is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who will play for the Texas Longhorns. He previously played for the Oregon State Beavers.

Early life and high school
Bolden was born in Fontana, California, and attended Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga. In his high school career he caught 132 passes for 2,091 yards and 23 touchdowns, and rushed for 290 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded eight tackles and an interception on defense. Bolden committed to play college football at Oregon State over other schools such as Hawaii, San Jose State, and Utah State.

Oregon State
In Bolden's first collegiate season with the Beavers in 2020, he only played in one game, returning one kickoff for 17 yards. In Bolden's second season in 2021, he played in ten games and hauled in three receptions for 25 yards, while also rushing for 13 yards. The 2022 season was his breakout season for Bolden. He got off to a hot start as in week two he scored his first career touchdown on a 36-yard rush, while also bringing in one reception for 15 yards, as he helped Oregon State take down Fresno State 35–32. In Week three Bolden caught his first receiving touchdown on a 24-yard catch, and also help set up a touchdown for the Beavers as he returned a kickoff for 80 yards, as the Beavers dominated Montana State 68–28. In week five, Bolden caught two passes for 19 yards and had a 29-yard rush for a touchdown in a 42–16 loss to Utah. The next week, Bolden caught two passes for 41 yards, as well as a touchdown on a fourth down, as he helped Oregon State beat Stanford 28–27. The next week against Washington State, Bolden returned a kick for 60 yards to set up an Oregon State touchdown, adding 14 rushing yards and one catch for four yards, as the Beavers won 24–10. In week 11, Bolden made five receptions for 54 yards, as he helped Oregon State beat Arizona State 31–7. In Oregon State's season finale, Bolden led the team in receiving, catching two passes for 23 yards, and rushing for 14 yards, as the Beavers would beat rival Oregon 38–34. In the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl, Bolden had the best game of his career bringing in six receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown as he helped Oregon State win 30–3 against Florida. Bolden finished the year with 23 receptions for 305 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned 22 kickoffs for 599 yards. For his performance on the year, Bolden was named second team all Pac-12 as a return specialist. Bolden was named a preseason second-team all Pac-12 member as a return specialist.

On January 1, 2024, Bolden announced that he would be entering the transfer portal.

Texas
On January 16, 2024, Bolden announced that he would be transferring to Texas.

Personal life
Bolden is the younger brother of NFL wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr.