Bolden in 2024 | |
Georgia Bulldogs – No. 4 | |
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Position | Safety |
Class | Freshman |
Personal information | |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
Career history | |
College |
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High school | Buford (Buford, Georgia) |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Khalil Ja’Qua Bolden is an American college football safety for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Early life
Bolden grew up in Buford, Georgia. When he was 10 years old, his father Kai was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and money laundering following a Department of Justice investigation dubbed "Operation High Rollers". He was released in 2023 after serving six years. Bolden attended Buford High School where he played football and ran track. A two-way player at wide receiver and safety, Bolden was a two time all-state selection in football and was named the Georgia Region 8-7A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He was selected to All-American Bowl in 2024. A five star prospect ranked the #1 safety recruit in his class, Bolden originally committed to play college football at Florida State before flipping to the University of Georgia on national signing day.
College career
In his collegiate debut, Bolden recorded four tackles on 49 snaps, the most snaps of any Georgia defender, as the Bulldogs defeated Clemson 34-3.
References
- ^ Sentell, Jeff (August 4, 2023). "KJ Bolden: The really big decision from his life you haven't read all about this week". DawgNation. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- Mazumder, Rahaan (June 6, 2024). "Who Are the Parents of KJ Bolden? A Quick Look Into the Family of Georgia Safety". EssentiallySports. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- Catanese, Robert (October 5, 2018). "'Operation High Rollers' sends 11 drug traffickers to federal prison". WTGS. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- Kassim, Ehsan. "5-star safety KJ Bolden flips from Florida State football to Georgia". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- "KJ Bolden Welcomed to 2024 All-American Bowl with Virtual Jersey Presentation". NBC Sports. December 22, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- Sudge, Brandon (April 14, 2024). "How Buford's KJ Bolden ended up with Georgia football". North Gwinnett Voice. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- Staff, The Athletic College Football. "Georgia football recruiting: Bulldogs flip in-state 5-star KJ Bolden". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- Nemec, Andrew (December 20, 2023). "KJ Bolden flips from Florida State to Georgia; nation's top safety bolsters Kirby Smart's class". Sports Illustrated High School News, Analysis and More. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- Davis, Spenser (September 2, 2024). "Kirby Smart explains what sets KJ Bolden apart from other freshmen". Saturday Down South. Retrieved September 2, 2024.