Georgia safety KJ Bolden in unique position in year two

Last year, around this time, Georgia safety KJ Bolden was trying to figure things out. This year, he’s trying to figure out what he doesn’t know while also helping lead older, but less experienced players.

Georgia is looking to replace Malaki Starks and Dan Jackson from its starting secondary in 2024. Bolden started every game last season as a true freshman.

Bolden was named a freshman All-American for his service. Georgia has older players like Jacory Thomas, Joenel Aguero and Kyron Jones who have been at Georgia but have not played a starter’s role to this point.

The Bulldogs also added transfers Zion Branch, Adrian Mattox and Jaden Harris to the room this offseason.

Malaki Starks and Dan Jackson set the standard of leadership for KJ Bolden

Those players have not played in Georgia’s defense yet. Bolden learned from Starks and Jackson in 2024.

“It’s definitely different,” Bolden told reporters on Thursday. “Just first year you’re having not to be able to speak as much, just learning, processing everything from the older guys. This year, just taking on the leader role a little bit. It’s definitely been challenging, but it’s fun at the same time. I feel like Malaki and Dan definitely prepared me the right way to lead the group. I’m just trying to lead the way they did. You know, just pushing the guys every day, just telling the guys how important it is, just to work hard, and just the little things matter. So, it’s definitely been fun just working on leading this year.”

Bolden felt Jackson and Starks ‘invested’ in him. That set the stage for him to do similar for at least the next few years in Athens.

“It was just watching the way they do things,” Bolden said. “They taught me how to watch film the right way. There are certain ways you’ve got to watch film. Just being invested into it. They just taught me so many things, like how to treat your body, the little things. The playbook, they always taught me about the playbook a lot. They just invested in me so much to where this year. I could just do the same to the new, younger guys. I could just invest in them, and I feel like they did a great job with that, for sure.”

New faces are coming along

Bolden and the new faces in Georgia’s secondary have spent a lot of camp meeting up and watching film on their own.

Bolden learned the playbook himself and knew what he was doing during the season, but now he’s comfortable enough to help teach it.

“I feel like I kind of understand the playbook a lot better,” Bolden said. “You know, just the new guys, I’m just trying to teach them. We watch film every day. We go over the playbook every day at night with the new guys and transfers. I’m just trying to teach them the way we do things around here, you know. But I feel like they’re doing a great job getting the playbook down and just, coming out to practice every day ready to work.”

Competition extends to everyone

Georgia’s competition at the other safety next to Bolden and the ‘star’ position has been well-publicized. Bolden has gotten an up-close view of the group battling and feels there are some good options in the room.

He is involved in it as well.

Bolden started every game last season, but he has been tasked with being a helping hand while also competing for his spot.

“The safety competition, definitely a great competition,” Bolden said. “I mean, myself, I don’t have a spot guaranteed right now. We are all working for a spot right now. We’re all competing and going at it every day. We just got to keep working.”

Georgia will scrimmage for the second time on Saturday. The Bulldogs open the season in 16 days against Marshall in Athens.