Georgia’s football program secures a commitment from highly-rated 5-star safety KJ Bolden.
When a five-star player departs, another one steps in. Just 48 hours after Buford High School quarterback Dylan Raiola, a five-star recruit, changed his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska, Georgia secured the commitment of his teammate. KJ Bolden, a five-star safety also hailing from Buford, announced his decision to switch his commitment from Florida State to Georgia.
Before his commitment to Florida State on August 5, Bolden was widely expected to choose the Bulldogs according to various recruiting experts. Despite committing to Georgia’s upcoming Orange Bowl opponent, he had remained committed to Florida State throughout the 2023 season.
Bolden’s decision came down to the Seminoles, Bulldogs, and Auburn, all of whom vigorously pursued him. While both head coach Kirby Smart and Auburn’s head coach Hugh Freeze visited Bolden, he ultimately chose to commit to his in-state team, Georgia.
“We did what we do on every kid — we recruited,” said Smart. “I reached out to him when he committed elsewhere. I told him we had a lot of respect for him, and we weren’t going to stop recruiting him, that we thought this was the best place for him … We were very consistent every time he was here.”
Bolden, a 6-foot, 185-pound safety, is not only rated as the top safety in the 2024 class but also one of the country’s top players. He is ranked as the second-best player from Georgia and the 14th-best player in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite.
In his senior season, Bolden demonstrated his prowess with 33 tackles, four interceptions, a tackle for loss, and three pass deflections, earning him the Region 8-7A Defensive Player of the Year award. Additionally, he contributed to the offense, amassing 663 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, 85 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown.
Bolden’s speed, showcased on the track with a personal best of 10.76 in the 100 meters, allows him to excel as a safety and be versatile in other positions. Although his frame is relatively light, he may need to bulk up for further success at the next level. Coach Smart praised Bolden’s dynamic play, citing a game where he scored a defensive touchdown, a kickoff return touchdown, a running touchdown, and a receiving touchdown.
Despite the “Buford curse” that prevented Georgia from landing players from the high school powerhouse in recent recruiting classes, the commitment of coveted safety prospect Bolden signals a positive turn in their connection with Buford.
While this year’s signing class was initially anticipated to be more subdued, Bolden’s commitment added excitement to Georgia’s early signing day, marking the team’s 28th commitment.
