The title “Anquan Boldin” carries severe weight in soccer circles — Tremendous Bowl champion, NFL Professional Bowler, and one of many hardest large receivers to ever do it. Now his son, Anquan Boldin Jr., is carving out his legacy, not on the gridiron, however on the hardwood — and he’s doing it at an HBCU.
Boldin Jr., a 6’5” guard, has dedicated to Florida A&M College (FAMU) after coming into the switch portal from the College at Buffalo. He introduced in a submit on X (previously Twitter), making it official with the caption: “Dedicated ?? #AGTG.” The previous IMG Academy standout averaged 7.8 factors, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per recreation final season. He was one in all solely two gamers to start out each recreation for the Bulls. Bolden Jr. shot 45% from the sphere and confirmed flashes of elite perimeter protection in his two seasons in Buffalo.
Earlier than Buffalo, Boldin Jr. drew provides from Manhattan, Jap Michigan, and North Carolina A&T, however the draw of FAMU underneath new head coach Charlie Ward was too sturdy to disregard. Sure — that Charlie Ward, the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner and Florida State soccer legend, identical to Boldin Sr., who starred as a large receiver at FSU earlier than dominating the NFL.
Now, Boldin Jr. is one in all Ward’s first main signees in his inaugural 12 months teaching the Rattlers. It’s a full-circle Florida State legacy transfer, solely this time the following technology is elevating HBCU basketball.
Ward-Boldin Connection
Ward and Boldin Sr. aren’t simply icons — they’re additionally mentors. Anquan Sr. has been deeply concerned in his son’s improvement. Guiding him via recruiting and school selections with the identical self-discipline and function that made him one of many NFL’s most revered gamers. However this resolution isn’t nearly following in his father’s footsteps. Anquan Jr. is carving his personal path. “I’ve all the time needed to be higher than my dad. Not in a cocky manner. He set the usual, and I’m making an attempt to be higher than that each single day,” he stated in a 2023 interview with Professional Perception. And now, by selecting FAMU, he’s staying near house and the legacy with out strolling the identical highway.
Boldin Jr. referred to as Florida State his “dream college,” a nod to each his father’s legendary profession there and his personal upbringing across the Seminoles. However with this transfer, he will get to put in writing a brand new story in Tallahassee, not in garnet and gold, however in inexperienced and orange. Taking part in for a Florida State legend like Charlie Ward, Boldin Jr. can have the uncommon alternative to reflect the setting of his father’s rise whereas constructing a definite legacy at an HBCU that displays his ambition and id.
Youngsters of stars at HBCU
And the Boldins should not alone. Bolden Sr.’s Baltimore Ravens teammate, Ray Lewis, noticed his son, Ray Lewis III, swimsuit as much as play soccer for Virginia Union. Antonio Gates Jr., son of NFL nice Antonio Gates, not too long ago transferred to Delaware State. Deion Sanders’ youngsters, Shedeur, Shilo, and Shelomi, selected Jackson State when their father led the Tigers. It’s a rising pattern: Black sports activities legends ship their youngsters to HBCUs, even when they don’t attend themselves. Why? As a result of HBCUs present greater than a platform. They provide a group, tradition, and id that may typically get misplaced within the opulence of being the kid of a star skilled athlete.
With Anquan Boldin Jr. now in Tallahassee, enjoying for a Seminole legend at an HBCU juggernaut, the story has all of the makings of one thing particular. It’s not only a dedication to basketball — it’s a dedication to heritage.
And if the Boldin title means something, it’s that greatness runs within the household.
