Substance Behind The Smoke? Why experts say FSU is trending for 5-star KJ Bolden

Over the past few weeks, several reports have surfaced about Florida State gaining ground with Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden.

This previously was seen by many as a two-horse race between Ohio State and Georgia, but now Florida State has entered that conversation in a larger way.

For those who have followed Bolden’s recruitment closely, this isn’t much of a surprise. The Buford, Ga., prospect has always loved Florida State and has said publicly that FSU is his dream school.

He has posted a photo of himself as a child in an FSU summer camp T-shirt on social media, and he even used the word “us” when discussing the Seminoles’ expectations for 2023.

“I mean y’all know Florida State’s my dream school. So like, even though they started recruiting me like later on down the road, like the love I have for the school couldn’t go away,” he said earlier this year. “So I’m definitely going to come down here again, check it out. … I heard this year the team’s going to be very nice, so hopefully go out there and get us a natty.”

#TBT my first love since a lil one @PatSurtainll @KJDAD5 @FSU_Recruiting pic.twitter.com/VP1Bjty8I5

— Khalil “KJ”Bolden (@KhalilBolden2) May 12, 2023

Warchant also learned from people close to Bolden that his visit to Florida State in June was one of the best he’s ever had. That has been confirmed through several sources on both sides of the recruitment.

Keep in mind, that was coming straight off an Ohio State visit where the nation’s best safety tweeted it was a “10/10” visit.

On3’s director of recruiting, Chad Simmons, was perhaps the first national recruiting analyst to write an article confirming that FSU was seizing momentum in Bolden’s recruitment when he posted this piece on July 13.

We followed up with Simmons this week for more on why he thinks FSU is trending in the right direction with the No. 8 player in the On3 rankings.

“His last visit went really well, he feels comfortable with the staff and the momentum FSU has coming off last season and in recruiting has his attention.” Simmons told Warchant, “It is nothing new to have FSU in the discussion when talking about Bolden’s schools in contention. Now there has been a little more buzz about the Seminoles behind the scenes in recent weeks.”

When talking to BamaOnLine after his son’s official visit to Tuscaloosa, Kai Bolden broke down what the most important aspects of KJ’s recruitment are going to be.

“We definitely want it to be some place he feels comfortable,” the elder Bolden said. “He’s definitely expressed that he wants to get on the field as early as he can, so I’m sure that will play a part. We’ve been looking at different things, like education and internships. Major-wise (majoring in sports management), who’s had the best success in his major.”

Florida State’s coaches should feel good about that criteria.

The Seminoles have a real need for safeties in the near future, meaning the celebrated recruit could have a chance to play immediately. Also, FSU is known for having one of the best sports management programs in the country.

And then there is comfort. Bolden has a great relationship with many members of the Florida State staff, including head coach Mike Norvell, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain.

“It was great. Coach Norvell, the staff, Coach Surtain, Coach Fuller, they all show me great love up here,” Bolden said after his recent visit. “I definitely feel welcome here, every time I come up here. They always meet me at the door every time … they definitely rose their chances with me when I came down here. Definitely liking the school, definitely a lot right now for sure … FSU’s definitely a top-five school.”

Josh Newberg, who is a national recruiting host and host with On3, said Florida State is seen now as a legitimate player in Bolden’s recruitment because of how many times he has visited Tallahassee “on his own dime” and how well the Seminoles have recruited him.

Newberg said he also has heard the strength of FSU’s NIL offerings and opportunities is a major positive in Bolden’s recruitment.

But after weeks of intense speculation, Newberg believes we all will have a strong indication of where Bolden is leaning when recruiting visits open up again later this week.

The five-star safety is scheduled to visit Auburn for Big Cat Weekend on July 29, but could he make one more unofficial visit as well?

“I’m really interested in seeing if he shows up somewhere at the end of this month, and where it is,” Newberg said. “There’s rumors that he could show up at Ohio State. There’s rumors that he could show up at FSU. There’s rumors he could show up at Georgia. I really want to see where he shows up at the end of the month. I think that will be telling because it will be about five or six days before he makes his big announcement.”

Bolden has said he will announce his commitment decision on Aug. 5.

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