Top-100 Linebacker, Georgia Commit States Intentions To Team Up With FSU Pledge KJ Bolden

The addition of No. 1 safety KJ Bolden could benefit Florida State on the recruiting trail for multiple years.

Florida State began the month of August by landing No. 1 safety and five-star prospect KJ Bolden. The addition surged #Tribe24 to a top-5 recruiting class while netting the Seminoles a crown jewel in the process. Winning out for Bolden could end up benefitting the program in more ways than one and for multiple years.

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Bolden suits up for one of the top prep programs in the country, Buford High School. The Wolves have won two national contests against St. Frances Academy (MD) and Mallard Creek High School (NC) to open the season. There is a ton of talent on the roster outside of Bolden, including four-star linebacker and top-100 recruit, Jadon Perlotte.

The rising junior and Georgia pledge is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the 2025 class. Perlotte committed to the Bulldogs in December but he's continued to visit other schools throughout the process. That includes three unofficial visits to Tallahassee since March.

During a recent interview with SBLive Sports' Andrew Nemec, Perlotte made it clear that Florida State's push on the recruiting trail is making him re-evaluate his commitment to Georgia. One way or another, Perlotte is looking to continue teaming up with Bolden at the college level.

"I've got to play with him [Bolden]," Perlotte said to SBLive Sports. "Nobody has scored, pass-wise, on our side 1-2 during our whole high school careers. I've got to play with KJ. Our package is just different."

"It could go a bunch of different ways," Perlotte continued. "He could come to Georgia, I could go to Florida State, or we could find somewhere else to go - go play with Eddrick [Houston] at Ohio State. At some point, we will all stick together."

Perlotte was most recently at Florida State in June for the Seminole Showcase. He didn't participate in workouts during that trip but was able to spend a lot of time around the coaching staff. Head coach Mike Norvell has taken on a big role in Perlotte's recruitment, hoping he'll be the latest recruit to flip to the Seminoles from the Bulldogs.

FSU flipped five-star tight end Landen Thomas from Georgia in April while stealing Bolden out of their backyard to close out the summer.

"The love they show me [is what stands out]," Perlotte said to SBLive Sports. "I sat in multiple meetings with coach Norvell. It got real serious. He got the point across that he really wants me there and would do anything to get me there. That staff has a lot of good experience. They've coached at the highest level. They all know me when I'm down there. It's all love."

The Georgia native isn't quite sure what direction his recruitment is going to take at this moment in time. With that being said, the Seminoles continue to be the biggest threat to flip his pledge from the Bulldogs.

"A lot of people are taking it out of context," Perlotte said. "Auburn, Florida State, Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Alabama... those schools have really been on me. But Florida State is definitely at the top of the list right now." 

Perlotte previously told NoleGameday that Florida State 'would be the place' if he decides to move on from Georgia. It's expected that he'll make multiple trips to view the Seminoles in action during the 2023 season, including the season-opener against LSU.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker is regarded as the No. 34 overall prospect, the No. 5 LB, and the No. 7 recruit in the state of Georgia in the 2025 class according to 247Sports.

The Seminoles hold two pledges in their 2025 class, four-star quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. and four-star wide receiver DL Hardison, which ranks No. 14 in the country.

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