Florida State football has had its fair share of highly-touted defensive backs commit to the program, such as Travis Hunter and KJ Bolden. Even though the defensive back room is bright with it being guided by assistant coaches Patrick Surtain Sr. and Evan Cooper, it still stings to lose that talent.
Hunter was the first of the bombshell decisions, which shocked the college football world. He went on to play for former great Deion Sanders and win the Heisman Trophy as well as become a first-round NFL Draft pick.
As for Bolden, he decided to flip from the Seminoles to the Georgia Bulldogs on Early Signing Day. It pains me that FanSided’s Dawn of the Dawg writer, Trevor Michael, highlighted the former five-star prospect being a leader in the Bulldogs’ defense during the 2025 season.
DEFENSIVE BACK STABILITY WITH FSU
Bolden had a tremendous 2024 campaign with Georgia, where he recorded 59 tackles, one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble. While he is an incredible player that I would take on the Seminoles’ defense, I believe that the defensive back position is a strong part of the team.
Coach Surtain Sr. has continued to be one of the best recruiters on the staff, where he has landed prospects such as five-star Chauncey Kennon, four-star Jay Timmons, four-star Darryl Bell III, four-star Tedarius Hughes, and three-star Sean Johnson in the 2026 cycle.
I understand that he has to sign them still, but I think the program is in good shape there. Head football coach Kirby Smart got himself a great player in Bolden, but I know that Florida State fans don’t have to reminisce over the past with the talented defensive backfield that the Seminoles are constructing.
