Bolles as pick not out of line
Offensive tackle with troubled past may have a future with the Texans
INDIANAPOLIS — Utah offensive tackle Garett Bolles may be the most intriguing prospect in the draft, and he could be headed for the Texans.
If they decide to draft an offensive tackle in the first round, Bolles might be available when they make the 25th overall selection.
Bolles, 6-5 and 297 pounds, knows the Texans need a right tackle. A lot of mock drafts have them taking him. He said Thursday he’s already met with them at the combine.
“They’re great people,” Bolles said. “A great organization and coaching staff. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.
“If the Texans pick me up, great. I’ll be more than happy to go to Texas. I’d be honored to play for that organization.”
Scouts say Bolles is athletic and has the skills to play either side, but what they like the most is his attitude.
“When I’m on the field, I want to be a nasty,” he said. “I’m a competitor. I have a quick urge to get off the ball because I just want to punch the guy in the mouth and do whatever I can to be successful. I have the dog inside of me.
“I want them to know I’m a loving person, and I love football. It brings the passion out of me. Football is the greatest game that anyone’s created on this earth. It’s a game where you can literally beat somebody up and get away from it.”
Bolles, who will be 25 in training camp, is a late bloomer because of a troubled childhood. Teams like the Texans that are interested in him must dig into his background.
Bolles was disowned by his father after getting suspended or kicked out of five schools as a teenager. He did drugs, drank alcohol, got into fights, committed vandalism and served time in jail.
A changed man
One reason Bolles came to the combine was to show teams that he’s a changed man — a husband and father who has a plan to excel in the NFL and take care of his family.
“I don’t even know the old Garett,” he said. “I don’t even know who the old Garett is. I just know the new Garett.
“I grew up with a rough childhood (but) I’ve changed, man. I want to prove I can play in this league, earn a starting spot and that I can be a Pro Bowler.”
Bolles isn’t shy about discussing his past, what he fought hard to overcome and what he’s trying to do with his life.
“They want to see what kind of man I am and if I’ll fall back to my old self, if I can take care of the off-field issues,” he said. “I know exactly what I want.
“I have a plan. I know where I’m going. When you become a husband and father, you kind of have to grow up and become the person you want to be.”
Growing up in Lehi, Utah, Bolles was on a path to destruction. His mother was a drug addict. After his father kicked him out of the house, he was on the street when his former high school lacrosse coach, Greg Freeman, took Bolles into his home.
Freeman and his wife, Emily, helped Bolles straighten out his life. When asked if he could remember the turning point in his life, Bolles didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely,” he said. “When the Freeman family took me off the street. They became my family. I love them dearly. They changed my life forever. I’m the man I am today because of them.”
The Freemans made sure the Mormon church played a major role in his transformation. While residing with the Freemans, Bolles worked repairing garage doors. Then he went on an LDS mission to Colorado Springs. He returned a changed man.
“My mission was the greatest thing to happen to me,” he said. “I came home matured and became the man I am today.”
Bolles got a football itch and wanted to scratch it. He enrolled in Snow College in Utah, one of the top junior college programs in the country.
At Snow College, Bolles met his future wife, Natalie Williams.
“I got married a year ago and had a son,” he said. “My wife understands when I’m on the football field. She gets nervous in the stands. But when I come home, I have the best sweetheart in the whole wide world.
“I love her dearly. She gave birth to my child, so she receives everything in the world. I’m just grateful I’ll be able to support her and take care of her while playing the game I love.”
‘I have so much upside’
Bolles played so well he became one of the highestrated players in the country. He signed with Utah and played one year. He doesn’t think his age and lack of playing experience work against him.
“My age is a positive,” he said. “I’ve only played football for three years. I have so much upside.”
Now Bolles is competing at the combine and has a chance to realize his dream.
“I’m definitely surprised,” he said. “This is a dream come true. As a kid, I remember watching things like this (combine) and watching them play Sundays. Now I’m here. I’ve got a chance to live my dream. I’m just grateful to be here. It’s a great experience.”