Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden commits to Florida State Seminoles

Chad Simmons updated head shotby:Chad Simmons•08/05/23•

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It came down to the wire for Buford (Ga.) Five-star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden. After announcing his top five schools in early July, the list in Bolden’s mind ultimately came down to three.

Those three in particular were Auburn, Florida State and Georgia. After thinking it over and talking with his family, Bolden ultimately settled on the Seminoles the Friday night before his decision.

“This last week has been crazy busy for me,” Bolden said. “I have been on so many calls throughout the week and it’s been crazy. Over the last few days, I was down to Auburn, Florida State and Georgia. I went back and forth between those schools at different times before deciding Florida State was the right school for me.

…it was tough, and I had a lot of conversations with family and people close to me before I made my final decision. I asked the Man above and He told me where I need to be.”

The 6-foot-0, 180-pounder is the No. 8 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. 2 player in Georgia.

Prior to his commitment, Bolden had traveled to Tallahassee several times throughout his recruitment. He didn’t take an official visit there in June but did take an unofficial to get back on campus.

A lifelong Seminoles fans, Bolden admits that was one of the reasons he ultimately settled on them in the end. That, and playing for a head coach like Mike Norvell.

“I committed to Florida State for multiple reasons,” Bolden told On3. “Florida State has been my dream school since I was growing up. Since I was a kid, I always wanted to go there. I also really like what Coach Mike Norvell is doing with the program.

…He has changed the program around a lot. Right after Coach Willie Taggart left, Coach Norvell told me he would turn things around. Now Florida State is one of the top teams in the country and he has done exactly what he told me he would do years ago.”