Ohio State safety target KJ Bolden commits to Florida State
COLUMBUS — Ohio State nearly one week after a major win on the recruiting trail suffered another major loss. Five-star Buford (Ga) safety KJ Bolden committed to Florida State on Saturday evening.
Bolden, the No. 1 safety and No. 9 overall prospect, chose the Seminoles in what has been a topsy-turvy recruitment, especially over the last six weeks or so.
Ohio State, Georgia, Auburn and Alabama all were finalists for the 6-foot, 185-pound safety’s pledge. Florida State down the stretch had done an incredible job with Bolden and his family. He called the program in Tallahassee his “dream” school and for once the cursed dream school actually landed the dream.
“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.
Florida State is coming off a 10-3 season capped with a win over Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl. It was the Seminoles’ first bowl win since a 42-13 dismantling against Southern Mississippi in the 2017 Independence Bowl.
Bolden links up with five-star Venice (Fla) cornerback and Florida State commit Charles Lester III in an elite 1-2 haul for the ‘Noles.
And as for Ohio State? It’s back to the big board for Ryan Day, Jim Knowles and especially Perry Eliano.
Ohio State has only one safety committed to the class right now. Four-star West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep talent Jaylen McClain committed to the Buckeyes back in June after his official visit. McClain was a late offer for the Buckeyes, but that relationship quickly developed and they beat out a number of programs for his pledge.
The secondary isn’t a bad position, however. The Buckeyes have three impressive cornerbacks in their 2024 class with in-state duo Aaron Scott Jr. and Bryce West, and then four-star Chandler (Ariz) Basha cornerback Miles Lockhart.
Lettermen Row will have more notes about the Buckeyes’ direction on the trail at safety in the coming days.
But for now, the sting is massive. KJ Bolden will head to Florida State.
