K.J. Bolden, a highly sought-after five-star safety and the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2024 for his position, announced his commitment to Florida State on Saturday. Bolden had multiple top programs vying for his services, including defending national champion Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Auburn. Despite projections favoring Georgia, Bolden, who hails from Buford, Georgia, ultimately chose Florida State.
According to 247Sports, Bolden is the third-ranked player in Georgia and the 11th overall prospect in the 2024 class. If he signs with Florida State, he will be the highest-rated recruit since head coach Mike Norvell took over in 2019, giving the Seminoles a significant recruiting victory. Bolden received more than 40 offers from notable programs such as Notre Dame, USC, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, and Florida before narrowing his choices down to five schools.
Described by 247Sports recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins as a versatile player with outstanding speed, Bolden has demonstrated his athleticism both on the football field and in track and field events. At 6-foot and 185 pounds, he excels in the secondary due to his range and ability to read plays. Despite his wiry frame, Bolden shows physicality in tackling larger ball carriers. He is also expected to make an impact on special teams. His exceptional track performance is likely to attract attention from NFL scouts in the future.
FSU, Norvell score massive win on recruiting trail
Prior to his commitment to Florida State, Bolden had expressed his admiration for the school, calling it his “dream school.” However, Georgia was considered a strong contender for his services. Florida State offered Bolden the scholarship first several years ago, and he joins tight end Landen Thomas as the second five-star recruit to commit to the Seminoles for the 2024 class.
With Bolden’s addition, Florida State’s 2024 recruiting class jumps from sixth to fourth in 247Sports’ rankings. There is still plenty of time for Norvell and his staff to add more recruits. Last winter, the Seminoles had the 19th-ranked recruiting class nationally. Florida State experienced a breakthrough under Norvell in the 2022 season, achieving 10 wins for the first time since 2016 when Jimbo Fisher was the head coach.
