How Georgia was able to flip K.J. Bolden from Ohio State

K.J. Bolden. Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

How Georgia was able to flip five-star safety K.J. Bolden from Ohio State

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 12/20/23

The Georgia Bulldogs may have lost five-star quarterback recruit Dylan Raiola to Nebraska, but don’t feel sorry for them just yet.

UGA flipped five-star safety K.J. Bolden on Wednesday, who had initially been committed to Florida State.

Bolden even told FSU reporters that he would be signing with the Seminoles during Wednesday’s signing period during his official visit on Dec. 15.

However, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart reportedly put the full-court press on in recruiting Bolden all the way up until National Signing Day, according to Rivals.com, which ended with the ‘Dogs keeping the No. 14 overall player in the 2024 class per the 247Sports composite rankings in-state.

5-star KJ Bolden is now a ‘Dawg.

He details why. pic.twitter.com/nLaDnGQZmq
— Jeff Sentell (@jeffsentell) December 20, 2023

Per Rivals, Bolden, a Buford, Georgia native, reportedly knew weeks ago that he was going to sign with his hometown Bulldogs, who were the favorites to land the No. 1-ranked safety in the class of 2024 back in the spring.

Bolden is the third five-star prospect in Georgia’s No. 1-ranked 2024 recruiting class, joining cornerback Ellis Robinson IV and linebacker Justin Williams. The Bulldogs now have the No. 1-ranked linebacker, cornerback, safety and punter in the 2024 class along with the No. 3 and 10 linebackers, the No. 5 offensive tackle, the No. 6 tight end and the No. 7 and 8 cornerbacks.

“I chose Georgia because I wanted to be developed and compete with the best of the best,” Bolden told On3. “…At Georgia, I can go there and be a hometown hero. I get to play for a school close to home with great players and be developed by top coaches.”

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