Curtis Bolton

Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III Bio

Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III (December 18, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker who has played in the National Football League (NFL) for multiple teams including the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2014 to 2018. Bolton went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft but signed with the Green Bay Packers as a rookie free agent. He is of Italian descent.

Early Life and Background

Curtis Bolton was born on December 18, 1995, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He grew up in California and attended Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California. During his senior season at Vista Murrieta, Bolton delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 109 tackles including 29 for a loss and 13 sacks. He was named defensive MVP of the Southwestern League for his efforts.

Bolton attracted attention from multiple college programs with his defensive prowess. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Oklahoma, selecting the Sooners over offers from schools including Arizona and Fresno State.

Path to the NFL

At Oklahoma, Bolton developed into a impactful defender for the Sooners. He started one season with the program, his senior season in 2018. During that campaign, Bolton recorded 138 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. His productive senior season demonstrated his ability to be a difference-maker at the collegiate level and positioned him for the next stage of his football career.

Despite his college accomplishments, Bolton went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. His lack of draft selection did not diminish his determination to earn a spot on an NFL roster. He signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent following the draft, beginning his professional journey with the storied franchise.

Curtis Bolton Career

Green Bay Packers (2019-2020)

Bolton signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2019 after going undrafted. He impressed during the preseason, totaling 8 tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception in the first two preseason games. His strong training camp performance suggested he could contribute on defense. However, his rookie season was derailed when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a preseason game. The injury resulted in Bolton being placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Bolton returned to the Packers in 2020 but faced continued setbacks. He was placed on the active physically unable to perform list (PUP) at the start of training camp on July 31, 2020. He was subsequently moved to the reserve/PUP list at the start of the regular season on September 5, 2020. On October 6, 2020, Bolton was waived by the Packers.

Houston Texans and Early Journeyman Years (2020-2021)

Following his release from Green Bay, Bolton joined the Houston Texans. On November 10, 2020, he was signed to the Texans practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Houston on January 4, 2021, but was waived on March 16, 2021.

Bolton then joined the Indianapolis Colts on August 10, 2021. He was waived by the Colts on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was released from the practice squad two days later. On September 14, 2021, Bolton was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad but was released on October 5, 2021.

Detroit Lions (2021-2022)

On December 1, 2021, Bolton was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad. He earned his first NFL regular-season action on December 12, 2021, making his debut in a game against the Denver Broncos. Bolton demonstrated his abilities during limited opportunities and was promoted to the Lions active roster on December 28, 2021. However, his tenure with Detroit ended when he was waived on April 27, 2022.

Las Vegas Raiders (2022-2023)

Bolton joined the Las Vegas Raiders on August 1, 2022. He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day. On October 10, 2022, Bolton was elevated to the Raiders active roster for the Week 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was promoted to the active roster on November 10, securing a spot on the 53-man roster.

Bolton re-signed with the Raiders on March 18, 2023. His 2023 season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on September 30. He was activated from injured reserve on October 30, 2023, returning to contribute for the Raiders defense.

Later Career (2024-Present)

In 2024, Bolton moved through multiple organizations. On July 27, 2024, he signed with the Miami Dolphins but was released on August 27, 2024. He then joined the New York Giants on August 28, 2024. Bolton was waived by the Giants on September 7 but re-signed to their practice squad two days later. He was later waived from the Giants practice squad on November 19, 2024.

On December 10, 2024, Bolton signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Titans on January 6, 2025. Bolton was released by the Titans on April 16, 2025.

Playing Style and Strengths

Curtis Bolton plays the linebacker position, bringing speed and instincts to the middle of the defense. His background includes experience both on special teams and as a rotational defensive player. Bolton has shown versatility in moving between active rosters and practice squads throughout his career, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and team environments.

Notable Events and Milestones

Bolton’s NFL debut on December 12, 2021, against the Denver Broncos marked a significant milestone in his career after multiple practice squad stints. His journey through nine NFL organizations showcases the persistence required to maintain a professional football career despite numerous roster moves.

Curtis Bolton Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2019 to 2025, Curtis Bolton has appeared in games for multiple teams. He has accumulated 16 total tackles at the NFL level.

Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III Family

Family Background

Curtis Bolton was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and grew up in California. He is of Italian descent. Beyond his heritage, detailed information about his family background is not extensively available in public sources.

Personal Life

Curtis Bolton maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle @cb_savage18. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly confirmed.

2025 Season Outlook

Following his release from the Tennessee Titans in April 2025, Curtis Bolton continues to pursue his NFL career as a free agent. His journey through nine NFL organizations reflects both the competitive nature of professional football and his determination to remain in the league. Bolton will look to secure another opportunity with a team seeking linebacker depth and special teams contributions.