Curtis Bolton Bio
Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III (born December 18, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker. He has previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants, and most recently was a member of the Tennessee Titans. Bolton played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners before beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 228 pounds, he has spent his career working through practice squads and short stints on active rosters across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III was born on December 18, 1995, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is of Italian descent and grew up with a clear interest in football, eventually moving to the mainland to pursue his athletic development. Bolton attended Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California, where he became a standout on the defensive side of the ball.
During his senior season at Vista Murrieta, Bolton recorded 109 tackles, including 29 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, and was named defensive MVP of the Southwestern League. His performance drew college attention from several programs, and he ultimately committed to the University of Oklahoma over offers from Arizona, Fresno State, and others. Those high school numbers established him as a disruptive linebacker prospect heading into the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Bolton arrived at the University of Oklahoma in 2014 and worked his way into the Sooners’ defensive rotation. He started one season at Oklahoma, his senior year, and produced one of the most productive statistical seasons of his career at the collegiate level. During that final college campaign, he recorded 138 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections, demonstrating the same playmaking instincts he had shown in high school.
Following the conclusion of his college career, Bolton entered the 2019 NFL Draft but went undrafted. Despite not being selected, his college production and athletic profile were enough to earn him an opportunity at the professional level, beginning a long professional journey shaped by perseverance and frequent movement between rosters and practice squads.
Curtis Bolton Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
After going undrafted in 2019, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III signed with the Green Bay Packers. He made a strong first impression during the preseason, totaling 8 tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception across the first two preseason games. That promising start, however, was cut short when Bolton tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a preseason game and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
In 2020, Bolton was placed on the active and physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp on July 31 and later moved to the reserve and physically unable to perform list at the start of the regular season on September 5. On October 6, 2020, he was waived by the Packers. Shortly after, on November 10, 2020, he was signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans, where he finished the year before signing a reserve and future contract on January 4, 2021.
Green Bay Packers Era (2019–2020)
Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III’s first NFL opportunity came with the Green Bay Packers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He opened training camp and the preseason as a player on the rise, producing splash plays on defense and showing coverage ability that caught the attention of the coaching staff. His early preseason tape suggested a potential role in the Packers’ linebacker rotation.
The momentum, however, was halted by a torn ACL suffered in a preseason game, forcing Bolton onto injured reserve for his entire first professional season. He returned to the organization in 2020 but remained on the physically unable to perform list throughout training camp and the early part of the regular season, limiting his ability to compete for a roster spot. He was ultimately waived by Green Bay on October 6, 2020, closing his first NFL chapter.
Houston Texans Era (2020–2021)
Following his release from the Packers, Bolton joined the Houston Texans practice squad on November 10, 2020. The signing gave him a chance to stay within the league and continue his rehabilitation while learning a new defensive system. Bolton remained with the Texans through the end of the 2020 season and was rewarded for his development with a reserve and future contract on January 4, 2021.
His time in Houston, however, did not extend into the new league year. On March 16, 2021, Bolton was waived by the Texans, sending him back into the free agent market. The brief Texans stint kept him active in the NFL and prepared him for the rapid series of team changes that defined the next phase of his career.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2021)
On August 10, 2021, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III signed with the Indianapolis Colts in search of a depth role at linebacker. The opportunity reflected his continued value as a versatile defender capable of contributing on special teams and in sub-packages. Bolton competed for a roster spot throughout the late summer.
He was waived by the Colts on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. The arrangement lasted only two more days, after which he was released, ending his brief association with Indianapolis. The Colts experience was another example of the narrow margins that often define the careers of undrafted linebackers.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2021)
Bolton’s next stop came on September 14, 2021, when he was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Joining one of the league’s most respected defensive organizations provided another opportunity to refine his craft in a strong developmental environment. He worked within the 49ers’ system through the early part of the regular season.
On October 5, 2021, Bolton was released by the 49ers, concluding a short tenure in the Bay Area. While brief, the stint added another NFL chapter to his growing professional resume.
Detroit Lions Era (2021–2022)
On December 1, 2021, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad, beginning one of the more meaningful stretches of his professional career. The opportunity paid off on December 12, 2021, when he made his official NFL debut in a game against the Denver Broncos. He was promoted to the active roster on December 28, capping a steady climb back into regular-season action.
Bolton’s time in Detroit continued into the following offseason. On April 27, 2022, he was waived by the Lions, but his debut season marked his first true appearance on an active NFL game day roster and represented a defining milestone in his professional journey.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022–2023)
On August 1, 2022, Bolton signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and was waived on August 30 before being signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster for the Week 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 10, 2022, and later promoted to the active roster on November 10. The Raiders gave him one of his most sustained periods of active duty in the league.
Bolton re-signed with the Raiders on March 18, 2023, signaling the organization’s continued interest in his development. His 2023 season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on September 30 before being activated on October 30, once again navigating adversity to remain on an NFL roster.
Miami Dolphins Era (2024)
On July 27, 2024, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III signed with the Miami Dolphins, adding another AFC franchise to his professional path. He took part in training camp with the Dolphins, competing for a depth role in their linebacker corps. The opportunity reflected continued NFL interest in his experience and special teams value.
He was released by the Dolphins on August 27, 2024, as the team finalized its roster for the regular season. The Dolphins stint, while brief, showed that Bolton remained an attractive option for organizations in need of linebacker depth during the summer evaluation period.
New York Giants Era (2024)
On August 28, 2024, Bolton signed with the New York Giants, arriving just after his release from Miami. He was waived on September 7, 2024, but re-signed to the practice squad two days later, illustrating the constant churn of his journeyman professional life. The Giants provided another NFL platform as he worked to climb back toward the active roster.
On November 19, 2024, Bolton was waived from the Giants’ practice squad, ending his time in New York. Once again, the experience reinforced his reputation as a steady practice squad contributor willing to do the work required to remain in the league.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024–2025)
On December 10, 2024, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad, joining another AFC organization late in the season. He continued to develop within the Titans’ system, and on January 6, 2025, he signed a reserve and future contract, which suggested a potential opportunity to compete for a 2025 roster spot.
His time in Tennessee, however, came to an end on April 16, 2025, when he was released by the Titans. The release returned him to free agency while cementing his status as a veteran presence familiar with the inner workings of multiple NFL locker rooms.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a linebacker, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III has built his professional reputation on versatility, tackling reliability, and special teams value. His college production at Oklahoma, where he posted 138 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in his starting season, showcased instincts against the run and the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. At the professional level, he has embraced the role of a steady depth defender and practice squad contributor, which has allowed him to remain employable across many organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature milestone of Bolton’s professional career came on December 12, 2021, when he made his official NFL debut with the Detroit Lions against the Denver Broncos. That appearance represented the culmination of years of perseverance, beginning with his college stardom at Oklahoma, his undrafted free agent signing with the Green Bay Packers, and his recovery from a torn ACL. Through it all, he has continued to earn opportunities in the league, with 16 total tackles recorded as of 2024.
Curtis Bolton Career Wins
As a linebacker, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III’s professional résumé is defined less by traditional win columns and more by sustained roster contributions across multiple teams. He has been part of organizations that have competed in playoff races, including the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans, while carving out a journeyman path that has kept him in the NFL since 2019.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2024 season, Bolton has recorded 16 total tackles in his NFL career, the verified statistical benchmark available for his on-field production. His first NFL appearance came with the Detroit Lions in December 2021, and he later contributed on the active roster of the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His longest sustained tenures have come in Green Bay, Las Vegas, and Tennessee, where he has logged time on both practice squads and active rosters.
Other Wins & Performances
Before reaching the NFL, Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III posted a 109-tackle senior season at Vista Murrieta High School, including 29 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, along with a Southwestern League defensive MVP award. At Oklahoma, he delivered 138 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections in his final collegiate season. Those performances represent the foundation of his professional journey.
Curtis Bolton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about the broader Bolton family is limited. He is of Italian descent, a heritage he has acknowledged in connection with his background. No additional verified details about his parents or extended family have been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Verified information about Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, has not been publicly confirmed in available sources. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle cb_savage18, where he shares updates from his professional football journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season outlook for Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III began with optimism after he signed a reserve and future contract with the Tennessee Titans on January 6, 2025. The deal positioned him to compete for a depth linebacker role and a potential special teams contribution under the Titans’ defensive staff. That momentum, however, was interrupted on April 16, 2025, when he was released by the Titans.
Following his release, Bolton returned to free agency, where his extensive experience across multiple organizations, including the Packers, Texans, Colts, 49ers, Lions, Raiders, Dolphins, Giants, and Titans, remained attractive to teams in need of linebacker depth. His journeyman profile and familiarity with several defensive schemes continue to make him a candidate for late training camp or practice squad opportunities as the 2025 season develops.
Looking ahead, the 2025 campaign will likely test Bolton’s ability to secure a roster spot once again, either with the Titans or another organization. His track record of signing reserve and future contracts, surviving roster cutdown days, and returning to practice squads suggests he will continue pursuing another opportunity to contribute on an active NFL roster.