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

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.

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.”

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason
MLB insider reveals Mets' massive extension offer that Pete Alonso turned down
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury

Want more Bulldogs news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.