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Florida State fans found themselves in an unwanted but familiar situation on Wednesday. FSU lost its top recruit to a signing day flip for the third straight year.
Five-star defender KJ Bolden had been a Seminoles commit since August, joining a class that boasted Top 5 potential.
Rated as the top safety prospect in the 2024 cycle, he immediately skyrocketed to the top of that FSU class upon making his verbal pledge. Unfortunately for the ‘Noles, the commitment wouldn’t end his recruitment.
Bolden took visits to Syracuse and Auburn in the month of December and instate program Georgia remained in the mix for the Peach State native.
When signing day came, Bolden flipped his commitment in order to join Kirby Smart’s top-ranked group.
🚨BREAKING🚨 Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden has flipped his commitment from Florida State to Georgia🐶
More from @ChadSimmons_: https://t.co/CuWhcMLyGR pic.twitter.com/aqj5yUwcMY
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) December 20, 2023
The rich get richer for a program that’s won 29 of its last 30 games while landing a pair of national titles.
As for Florida State, it’s resulted in more disappointment following what was supposed to be a season of celebration.
Despite finishing 13-0 and winning the ACC, the Seminoles were left out of the four-team College Football Playoff. The unprecedented decision sent FSU to the Orange Bowl, where they’ll ironically face the Bulldogs in Miami.
FSU loses top recruit for 3rd straight year.
Unfortunately for the Seminoles, it’s become a theme over the last few recruiting cycles. In 2021, Deion Sanders shocked the world by flipping No. 1 overall player Travis Hunter.
Hunter became the top prospect to ever attend an HBCU before following Coach Prime from Jackson State to Colorado.
Last year, it was more of the same as Florida State commit Keldric Faulk flipped from the ‘Noles to Auburn on the December signing day. Faulk was rated by Rivals as a Top 20 recruit and a five-star prospect.
KJ Bolden’s change of heart certainly stings as it took away from arguably the top secondary class in this year’s cycle. Florida State landed the signatures of Charles Lester, Jamari Howard, and Cai Bates with all boasting four-star status.
Seminole fans, and others around the country, were quick to comment on the disappointing trend.
“FSU in shambles.”
“FSU getting bodied from every angle.”
“Why can’t we have nice things?”
“As if getting left out of the playoff wasn’t enough, FSU fans just had to watch their top commit flip on signing day (again).”
Despite the flip, Florida State still managed to sign an elite class. Ranked sixth in the country by 24/7 Sports, Mike Norvell welcomes one five-star and 15 four-star prospects to Tallahassee.