Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden set to visit Georgia

Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden was all set to visit Georgia last week, but an illness prevented him from making the short trip to see the Bulldogs.

A week later, however, he already has another trip to Athens on the docket, according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons.

Bolden will be at Georgia this weekend alongside a host of other top recruits for the Bulldogs’ spring game.

The 6-foot-0, 185-pounder is one of Georgia’ top recruiting targets in the class, regardless of position. Being a homegrown prospect from just down the road in Buford only ups the importance of landing him.

“Just come home,” Bolden told On3 earlier this spring of the Bulldogs’ pitch to him. “We’re building something real special and you got a great opportunity to get on the field early and it’s down the road, so why not?”

Bolden is the No. 4 overall prospect and No. 1 safety in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Georgia.

Georgia is not the only school pushing hard

The Bulldogs have hosted him upwards of 10 times and are considered the slight leader in his recruitment, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

But there’s no shortage of top programs also in pursuit. Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Florida State, USC, Auburn, Oregon and more all remain in contention.

He currently has one official visit locked in for June with the Buckeyes, but says he could be ready to start locking in more after his tour of spring visits concludes at the end of this month.

“A lot of schools keep communicating with me,” Bolden told Simmons on March 20. “Who gets the other official visits is really up in the air. Whatever I feel like is the best, I’m just gonna go with it.”

KJ Bolden Scouting Summary

“One of the top overall athletes in the 2024 cycle early on. Has a plus frame checking in at 6-foot, 185 pounds with a 6-foot-4 wing-span prior to his junior season. Has a personal best mark of 10.76 seconds in the 100 meters, showing outstanding high-end speed early on in his high school career. Also tests well in the combine setting. Plays both ways for Georgia powerhouse Buford High as a receiver and defensive back. Projects as a defensive back and likely at safety long-term, where his combination of athleticism and length makes him one of the nation’s best. Will need to improve his ball skills to be a top receiver prospect, but has the coordination to be well above average as a defensive back in that regard.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings