Former FSU Football Top Commit Weighs In On Georgia Bulldogs Win In Orange Bowl
Florida State lost its top commitment on signing day for the second time in three years during the Early Signing Period back in December when five-star defensive back KJ Bolden flipped to Georgia. The decision was another tough blow to the Seminoles at the very end of the cycle as Bolden signed with the Bulldogs despite spending the final visit of his recruitment in Tallahassee.
Leading up to the flip, Bolden even informed reporters on campus at Florida State that he would be signing with the Seminoles. Instead, he'll be joining the Bulldogs later this month to begin his college career. Before that transition, Bolden is spending the week in San Antonio to compete in the Adidas All-American Bowl.
Part of the festivities include a trip down media row as Bolden and other coveted prospects give the inside scoop on their respective recruitments. During an interview with 247Sports, the Georgia native says he was locked in with FSU but that Kirby Smart continued to make a major push.
"You know, I was locked in with Florida State the whole time. Coach Norvell, still love with coach Norvell, coach Surtain, them guys over there but you know, coach Kirby just never gave up on me," Bolden said to 247Sports. "Even when I committed to Florida State the first time, he texted me a long paragraph telling me he not going to give up on me, he feel like Georgia is the place for me where I can do my best and succeed at so just staying in contact with him, he just staying in my ear. One day I just got that feeling. I was like 'I'm just going to stay home.' I'm not far from the house and I can go compete for my hometown state."
Following a battle on the recruiting trail, the Seminoles and Bulldogs ended up meeting on the field in the Orange Bowl. Georgia ended up winning the contest 63-3 as Florida State was missing the majority of its original starting lineup on both sides of the ball.
Bolden weighed in on the result by essentially noting he believes he made the right decision.
"It was crazy because I'm glad I'm not on the other side now. That would've been bad," Bolden said.
With all of the craziness down the stretch, Bolden is happy to have the recruiting process behind him. He's focused on preparing for his first season in Athens.
"I'm glad it's over with. I didn't think the recruiting process came down like that to the last minute like that. It was crazy how my phone was just getting blowed up at the last minute like that. I'm glad to be over with that process. Now I'm just getting ready for the next level so I can get bigger, stronger for the next level so I can hopefully be a freshman All-American next year."
Despite the loss of Bolden, the Seminoles still hold the No. 10 overall class in the country. The haul includes four blue-chip defensive backs; five-star Charles Lester III, four-star Jamari Howard, four-star Cai Bates, and four-star Ricky Knight III.
READ MORE: Two Former FSU Football Players Decommit From FAMU, Re-enter Transfer Portal
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