Want to attack every day with the latest Georgia football recruiting info? That’s the Intel. This rep has the latest with 5-star safety KJ Bolden. He ranks as the nation’s No. 1 safety and the No. 8 overall prospect for 2024 on the 247Sports Composite ratings. The On3 Industry Ranking also places him as the nation’s top safety and the No. 5 overall prospect.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated from its original version to note new information and new reporting that states the recent NCAA ruling on unlimited official visits now affects the 2024 class and not starting with the 2025 class.
KJ Bolden has taken a lot of trips to Georgia. It is easy to lose count. The prospect visit tracker on his On3 profile page is doing a solid job, though.
That listing now has him at 12 visits to Georgia. He’s also been to Clemson and Florida five times each. Alabama and Ohio State are at four visits per school. The rising senior at Buford High has used the word “fantastic” a lot in the past to describe the Buckeyes.
Bolden said in January at the All-American Bowl that Georgia “feels exactly like home” because every coach and everyone on the staff knows his name.
“The vibe you get over there is just immaculate,” he said back then.
That has not changed. Especially after his weekend visit.
Count on him to take at least 13 visits to Georgia. That was one big takeaway from the 5-star safety’s thoughts about his weekend visit to G-Day.
That topic came up while discussing the recent ruling about official visits. According to the information available to this reporter, the NCAA will now allow unlimited official visits beginning in July.
It will affect Bolden and the 2024 class.
Schools, barring a renewal of certain blanket waivers after a coaching change, are limited to hosting just 56 officials. So that recent headline-grabbing policy change won’t change much from the NCAA member school’s standpoint. It will just change the number of options that prospective student-athletes would have.
Does this new ruling affect the way Bolden views his officials?
“I don’t think it will really change it,” Bolden said. “I’m still trying to be committed by August or September. So I don’t think it will really mean a lot. But I will definitely take some if I’m having strong feelings for a different school.”
Bolden is a good case study. He’s visited Georgia so often he knows everything about the school. And he’s been a priority for so long that every visit feels like an official compared to most recruits.
He’s also just 50 miles away from Athens. In the past, we’ve seen priority in-state recruits bypass their official visit to UGA. It is easier to make that trip on their own dime. To save that official visit for a more expensive commute.
“KJ” said that is not an issue for him.
“Georgia was going to get an official from me anyways,” Bolden said. “Now I know most kids in our class they weren’t going to take an official visit to Georgia. I guess they just didn’t feel like it was one of those exciting schools. Most kids are focusing on photo shoots and stuff like that.”
Bolden is not sure about the date for his official visit there. The first weekend in June will reset the bar for the biggest official visit weekend in Georgia football history.
But there’s the conflict with Clemson. He has a similar issue as major Georgia LB target Sammy Brown. The two both hold a strong interest in the Tigers, but that ACC powerhouse is only hosting recruits on officials for the first weekend in June.
“Clemson only has that one official visit week and if I wait until after the first week (in June) then I will have to wait until like after the season,” Bolden said. “I’m still thinking about it.”
The stronger possibility could be to take that official to UGA later in June. Possibly that second weekend.
What sticks out about KJ Bolden
Bolden is fast and long.
He’ll be back on the track for Buford this spring. Due to some nagging injuries, he didn’t really get a chance to show what he could do last spring. Or the previous spring.
That’s in contrast to clocking a showing in the 10.7 range in the 100 as a freshman. He shifted his focus to the 7-on-7 circuit as well during the past two outdoor track seasons.
“I come back this week,” Bolden said. “Hopefully I will run the 100 at region.”
There have been many quick interviews with Bolden over the years. A few questions before or after a 7-on-7 practice. Or in the middle of a tournament.
Maybe a few words after a big Buford High win. There have been plenty of those. There was a sideline chat back in January before the All-American Bowl. Bolden was in Texas as an honored guest from the 2024 class.
Through it all, there’s one particular conversation that sticks out.
He always brings up the perfect school having a great education to offer. That’s what he is looking for. But he also one day just clearly expressed his love for the game.
There are those that play football because they are good at it. That it is their ticket. To help set up the parents or caregivers that sacrificed so much as they grew up. Bolden shares those same dreams and goals.
“I don’t want my Mom to have to work anymore,” he said. “So both my parents won’t have to work anymore.”
But he also has a child-like joy for football.
“There’s just something about the game,” Bolden said back in September. “It just brings like so much joy to me. Even if I am feeling down. Football will make my day way better. Just because I’m playing the game that I love.”
Scoring touchdowns on offense is probably still his favorite part. But he does like “hitting people without consequences” on defense.
That’s a big piece. It has always been that way. It is not just the potential of a sizable paycheck.
If we’re being honest, those are the guys who usually find success in college. No matter how hard the rigors of college football become. They want to practice and get better. So they can play better.
He said it “would mean the world” to retire his mother Lakeisha Wright one day.
“I feel like football is my way out,” he said. “But it is also what I really love to do.”
Here’s a twist. He’s known as “KJ” but that is not for Khalil Bolden Jr. Those are the initials of his first name and middle name. His middle name is actually Ja’Qua.
He seeks a family feel at each school. He wants a “Plan B” with a great degree if football doesn’t work out.
But he also wants his favorite fried crave-able chicken fingers.
“Definitely the school I will go to has to have a Raising Cane’s,” he said. “I just like that place. That’s the best. Whenever it happens, they better have a Raising Cane’s.”
KJ Bolden: What were the highlights of his recent visit to UGA?
There was a time last fall when Bolden was wearing a national championship tracksuit. Then he pointed at the G. Why did he do that?
“It means that it is like family,” he said. “Those guys welcome you in like you are family. Like you are a part of their organization already. Definitely all love from Georgia. I definitely enjoy my time every time I go down there.”
When he has seen Georgia so many times, what can he still learn?
“Just watching Coach Smart get after the guys,” Bolden said after G-Day this weekend. “Coaching them up right after they make a mistake. I saw him when the defense gave up a touchdown early in the game. He will get on those guys and tell them what to do. I saw him helping the linemen. He was just all over the place. I really enjoyed seeing that from out of him.”
Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon and USC have all caught his eye at various stages of his process. That listing is likely missing several other schools there.
If his choice eventually turned out to be the ‘Dawgs, how does he feel that he might develop in Athens?
“Just with Georgia, all of the players they have got into the league,” he said. “All the guys that are balling right now. I guess they prep you early. Soon as you get there. You see that when they are freshmen. They got freshmen like AJ Harris and Raylen Wilson. Then all the freshmen receivers they have got. They’ve got guys that get there and really look college ready really soon. I feel they are doing a great job up there prepping their kids.”
As Bolden really started to consider Georgia, he noticed what Malaki Starks did last season. That early impact he had against Oregon in an NFL stadium. Starks went on to start every game after that one. That’s 14 straight starts for a back-to-back national championship team.
“I want to go to a school and make a true impact like Malaki Starks,” he said last September. “Some people say if you go to Georgia you won’t get on the field as a freshman and this or this and that. He actually did that. He actually made an impact. That really got to me because I want to make an impact like that.”
There now lies the possibility of playing with 5-star Ellis Robinson IV. Robinson is already a UGA commit. He’s the nation’s No. 1 cornerback. Then there is another All-American in 2024 safety commitment Peyton Woodyard. Woodyard is the nation’s No. 4 safety for the 247Sports Composite, but the nation’s No. 1 safety for Rivals and No. 2 nationally for ESPN.
Jaylen “AP” Heyward, another Georgia commit for this class, ranks anywhere from the nation’s No. 1 safety (ESPN) to No. 3 (247Sports Composite and On3 Industry Ranking) to No. 4 (Rivals) in this class.
Bolden now ranks as a 5-star across all services. The 6-foot-2, 189-pound rising senior is the nation’s No. 1 safety for the 247Sports and On3 composite ranking metrics. He’s No. 2 for both ESPN and Rivals.
That quartet would be a DB monopoly in this same cycle. Yet others might worry about their playing time with Heyward and Woodyard in the same class.
“It really doesn’t matter to me,” Bolden said. “Like whatever college you go to, you’ve still got to work to earn your start on the field. It doesn’t matter if they’ve got three safeties committed. If you commit there, you’ve obviously got a reason or feel like you will work your way to get to a starting spot or a rotating spot on the field.”
He is very tight already with Robinson and Woodyard. When Woodyard chose Georgia in January, Bolden called him his “Dawg.” He had a feeling the St. John Bosco star was leaning to the G.
“That’s a great relationship with those guys,” he said. “Them guys are cool. They are definitely trying to get me down there to Georgia with them. I’m only like 40 or 50 minutes away from there, but the relationship is definitely great with both of them overall.”
He had another good chat with Coach Smart. What was that like?
“It was cool,” Bolden said. “That’s my guy. He’s always checking on the family. It is the same thing, but that’s my guy for sure. We are always having great talks and that’s just much love from him.”
Bolden said his primary recruiters at UGA are cornerback coach Fran Brown, recruiting relations director David Cooper, Smart and co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
What has KJ Bolden learned about his decision on the trail so far?
The people matter. Maybe over everything else.
That’s one big thing that Bolden has learned by visiting so many schools over the last three years.
“The people you are going to be surrounding yourself around do matter,” he said. “You have got to see all the people in the locker room. Talk to them. See how the program really runs. See the people you are going to be around every day. That’s how I really look at it. Do I really want to be around these people every day? Does it feel like I would fit into this program?”
Georgia is going after 5-star QB target Dylan Raiola hard. Very hard. What would it mean to Bolden to see Raiola commit to the ‘Dawgs?
“Dylan and I have a great relationship,” Bolden said. “I was just talking to Dylan the other day. If Dylan chooses Georgia ...
(Laughs.)
“That would be big. For sure. Dylan and I are always talking. For sure. We definitely know the schools that he is interested in. I hope Georgia gets a good shot at it.”
Bolden is also strongly considering Ohio State. He has had those “fantastic” moments in Columbus. He got to meet Lebron James last year at the Notre Dame game. That was his sports idol. He did quietly struggle to maintain his composure while meeting James.
There is some intrigue there with his position fit for some schools. Bolden is also a top-tier receiver for Buford. Perhaps the best play of his career came when he made a key third-down conversion on a 15-yard route. That grab extended the eventual state title-winning drive against Langston Hughes in 2021.
He’s told Ohio State coach Ryan Day he’s aware of all the receivers the Buckeyes have plus the prospects on the way in 2024. That’s why he wanted to be a defensive back if he chose Ohio State.
Other schools see him as an athlete. Capable of playing both. If he decides to play for Tennessee, he would likely go as a receiver.
If he chose the ‘Dawgs, he would also be a defensive back.
Former Clemson DB Justin Miller has coached Bolden for several years with the Hustle, Inc. 7-on-7 team. Miller played eight years in the NFL, made the Pro Bowl and once earned an NFL “Fastest Man” title. He had 13 interceptions at Clemson and now trains DBs across the Southeast while coaching at Milton High.
What does Bolden think about that?
“I mean whatever gets me on the field,” he said. “I’m not really like saying what position I really am. Once I commit somewhere, it is where ever coach puts me at. Where ever coach throws me. I am going to try my best to be the best at where ever I can be.”
Bolden plans to make his choice known in August or September. He’s always wanted to make that decision prior to his senior season to focus on his last ride. He will play both ways at receiver and defensive back.
“I really just want to win a state championship for my school,” he said. “I feel like that is the best way to go out in high school.”
He knows the eventual decision will be taxing.
“It is definitely going to be hard,” he said. “You are putting your trust in that school right here for the next three or four years. Maybe five. You never know. This is definitely one of the harder decisions you’ll ever make in your life but just from talking to my family I hope we can find out one school that fits me. Hopefully, we can go big.”
Bolden plans to release his official visits on social media. Look for that at the end of this month or early May.
Check out his junior highlight tape below.
SENTELL’S INTEL
(check on the recent reads on DawgNation.com)
- Georgia football recruiting: KJ Bolden leads a parade of headliners on G-Day visit list
- Next Generation: The Lawson Luckie family story will make one want to be a No. 7 jersey
- Ryan Puglisi: Longtime 4-star QB doubles down on his pledge to play for UGA
- BREAKING: Nitro Tuggle commitment means it is now “Showtime” in Athens
- Marquis Easley: Why “Big EZ” could be a bully on the line for the ‘Dawgs
- Big commitment from 5-star TE Elyiss Williams is another mic drop for Todd Hartley
- Eddrick Houston: 5-star in-state priority DL target has set his commitment date
- Fletcher Westphal: The 6-foot-8 OT with a 17-step spreadsheet to help him choose the right school
- Micah Debose: Anchor 2025 OL commitment has a reaffirming visit to check out UGA
- Dwight Phillips Jr: The electrifying RB commitment is now one of the fastest high school sprinters in America
- David Sanders Jr: Nation’s No. 1 junior prospect recaps weekend visit where he felt “loved and honored” by Georgia football
- Dylan Raiola: How Georgia football continues to ‘deliver’ in the recruiting of the nation’s No. 1 prospect