National Signing Day surprise: Georgia flips 5-star KJ Bolden

One of Georgia’s top targets in the Class of 2024 made his pledge official on Wednesday, as Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden announced his commitment flip from Florida State to the Bulldogs.

The nation’s No. 13 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings and the top safety in the cycle, Bolden becomes Georgia’s twenty-seventh commitment for the class and extends the Dawgs’ lead as the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in 2024.

Bolden’s relationship with the Bulldogs has been constant and consistent throughout his recruitment.

“Georgia definitely made me a top priority,” Bolden told DawgsHQ’s Jeremy Johnson in late July. “I think I’ve been there 16 times. It’s crazy. Every time I go up there, Coach Kirby makes sure to have a meeting with me. Coach Fran (Brown) and Coach (Will) Muschamp all sit me down and talk about the defense and how they’re going to use me. Georgia is definitely a top priority for me.”

He becomes Georgia’s third five-star commitment of the Class of 2024. The messaging of the Bulldogs ended up playing a major role in the decision.

“They’re just telling me to stay home, and join a great class. I feel like they’re trying to build the best class in 2024 for sure. And they’re already starting off hot,” Bolden told On3’s Chad Simmons in July. “And they’re just telling me that I fit in a lot of different ways, schemes, they can fit me in a lot of different positions. I feel like the relationship Coach Kirby has with his players stands out. He’s always hanging out, laughing with them. It’s not just a coach relationship. It’s like you’re one of my friends and my brothers, we can talk on the regular without being so serious.”

Kirby Smart worked hard for five-star safety

Bolden chose the Seminoles over the Bulldogs and others back on Aug. 5. Bolden has kept in touch with Georgia Smart even though he was committed to the Seminoles.

Smart and Bolden have been close throughout the process. Georgia was one of Bolden’s first offers back in his freshman year of high school.

“That’s my dog, he’s always recruited me the same,” Bolden said back on Sept. 30. “Freshman year, every time I went down there he made sure we were talking. He always seems to show me the same love every time. The relationship that I’ve built with him feels like no other other than coach Norvell. I feel like coach Smart is my next favorite coach.”

On3 Scouting Report on KJ Bolden

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power offered the following scouting report on Bolden:

“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.”