KJ Bolden, recently the anchor of Buford football’s secondary, might be on his way to a seamless transition to the next level with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Bolden arrived at Georgia after a highly-publicized recruiting race. He pledged to Florida State, but flipped to the Bulldogs on early signing day last December. Head coach Kirby Smart spoke with resonation as he said a high school player is never truly committed, and Georgia made its jump. Georgia “never stopped recruiting” the Buford standout, Smart said.

From then on, Bolden had a strong spring practice and recorded four tackles in the G-Day spring game.

“He’s like a sponge,” Georgia star safety Malaki Starks said. “He wants to soak up all of the knowledge and information.”

Entering the season, which stands about five weeks away, Bolden received more praise. Smart and the elder Bulldogs took the stage in mid-July at SEC Media Days in Dallas, Tex. A reporter asked Smart about Bolden, and his response raised a couple of eyebrows and praised the Wolves.

“I think KJ Bolden really has a chance to help us out,” Smart said via Jake Rowe at On3. “He’s athletic, he’s intelligent, he comes from a really good high school program. He got 15 practices in the spring and he approaches every practice like a veteran. Like where he is right now is probably ahead of probably where Malaki was at that time. Malaki was able to play as a freshman. I’m excited about what KJ is gonna do.”

Starks became a fan favorite immediately during his time at Georgia. He racked up a crucial interception in his college debut — a blowout neutral-site win over Oregon. This upcoming season, Bolden makes his debut in the same venue, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, against Clemson.

Starks has emerged as one of the premier defensive backs in college football and is a surefire NFL draft selection. Starks praised Bolden’s work ethic, and if Bolden’s trajectory mirrors Starks’ under the upperclassman’s mentorship, it could bolster the Bulldogs’ defense early on.

Along with Bolden, Georgia’s options in the secondary include Buford alumnus and Alabama transfer Jake Pope, veteran Dan Jackson, JaCorey Thomas, Justyn Rhett and Oregon transfer Collin Gill.

FEATURED PHOTO: Madison Keel — University of Georgia Athletic Association