On3 5-Star Countdown: No. 25, Georgia safety signee KJ Bolden

On3 has released its final recruiting ranking for the 2024 class after the completion of the high school football season and all-star competitions. Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ safety and Georgia signee KJ Bolden is the No. 25 overall prospect in the 2024 On300.

The latest edition of On3’s 2024 rankings features 32 five-star players, up from 21 in the penultimate update in November. Of those 32 prospects, 29 are signed to college programs, with three still yet to make their decisions official.

This final update comes after the end of the high school playoffs and postseason All-American games, where top prospects across the country faced off in a week of practices and ended with nationally televised games.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Bolden flipped his commitment from Florida State to Georgia on Early National Signing Day — then proceeded to sign with the Bulldogs in a blockbuster move. He was pledged to the Seminoles since August.

“I definitely knew — before my official visit — what I wanted to do,” Bolden said. “I didn’t want to cancel anything or make any commotion, but I knew where I wanted to go.”

“Coach Kirby and Coach Muschamp stayed on me, they wanted me to come and be developed and play for a championship defense, and those are all the things I wanted to be a part of,” the Peach State’s top-ranked recruit continued. “After I made the decision, I felt great about it. Now I can focus on my game and not worry.”

KJ Bolden Scouting Summary

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about Bolden as a prospect:

“One of more versatile athletes in the 2024 cycle with considerable upside as a safety. Measured in at 6-foot, 185 pounds prior to his senior season. Has good length with 32-inch arms. Posted strong track marks as a high school underclassman with a personal best of 10.76 seconds in the 100 meters. 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.

…Flashes outstanding play speed on Friday nights. Closes quickly with physicality in defending the flats. Has shown good deep range in coverage both on Friday nights and in 7-on-7. Played a bunch of offense as a junior. Shows good playmaking ability and overall athleticism on that side. While his ball skills are good for a safety, they would need to improve were he to play offense in college. Has not replicated his impressive track times later in his high school career. Has a relatively smaller sample size relative to some of his highly-touted peers on defense heading into his senior season.”