Five-Star Plus+ defensive back KJ Bolden on NIL in recruiting: 'Some schools you know are lying'

KJ Bolden can tell when a school is trying to bluff.

The Five-Star Plus+ defensive back has no problem talking NIL with schools. With so many recruits and current college football players earning dollars from collectives, he would prefer coaches to just be honest.

That does not always happen, though. Schools have thrown all kinds of financial packages at the fifth-ranked prospect in the country. Most NIL offers have dropped down to six figures in recruiting. The right five-star prospect could command a million-dollar agreement, yet spread out over three to four years.

Bolden knows what his value is, and he can tell when a school is lying.

“If a school is telling you that you’re going to get millions or in the millions range, that’s quarterback money,” Bolden said Tuesday after arriving for the On3 NIL Elite Series presented by Mizuno. “Receivers and safeties, we’re like in the $700K, $600K-ish range. Schools always tell me in those ranges there. I had a school tell me, ‘We’re going to get you $2 million during the first year.’

“Come on. Some schools you know are lying. Some schools you know who’s for real.”

Back in November, On3 chatted with a number of coaches and agents about how NIL had morphed into a game of lies. At the time, coaches were complaining about how prospects were lying to top programs about the NIL package being offered by other schools vying for their commitment. Now the bending of the truth seems to be going both ways.

Bolden has been on plenty of unofficial visits, and he has a jam-packed June of official visits with trips planned to Georgia (June 9), Ohio State (June 16) and Alabama (June 23). He is expected to visit Auburn in September, too.

Trying to force schools to offer a NIL package is not the point of the conversations he has. A talented defensive back, his goal is to reach the NFL. Yet, he understands he will only play college football once.

“In college, you’re going to get paid if you play well,” he said. “You have to pay your best players or they’re going to transfer. I choose NFL over NIL. Once you get there, you can go a lot farther. You do want to get paid, but shouldn’t focus on it too much.”

KJ Bolden eyeing schools that help build brand

KJ Bolden is starting to sketch out what his NIL brand will look like. A rising senior at Buford (Ga.) High School, he knows he wants to give back to his community. Identifying which institutions will help build a brand is playing a role in his decision.

The defensive back said he has been impressed by the pitch Ohio State has presented, specifically how they market its athletes. Alabama has plans for an Advantage Center which will include a staff that provides education and resources for athletes.

Georgia formed an NIL department in April, too. The in-house team will include an athlete marketing manager, who is being hired by Altius Sports Partners.

“That definitely would make an impact on my decision because I want to start an organization, a nonprofit,” he said. “Help people out. I’ve always wanted to do something like that. Schools like Ohio State how they brand and market their kids is so better than a lot of schools. It definitely plays a role.”