KJ Bolden named 2026 Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist

Georgia football defensive back KJ Bolden has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Jim Thorpe Association and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) have announced.

The Jim Thorpe Award is an annual award presented “to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.” Last season, Trey Taylor from Air Force took home the hardware.

Bolden is one of 15 semifinalists for the annual Jim Thorpe Award. Three finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and the winner will be selected and announced on Friday, Dec. 11.

KJ Bolden, a 6-foot-0, 195-pound junior, hails from Buford, Ga. Bolden is Georgia’s fifth-leading tackler with 22 stops this season, including 16 solo tackles.  He also has two tackles for loss, half of a sack, and one interception returned for 29 yards.

No. 3 Georgia’s next game is on Saturday, October 31 against the No. 17 Florida Gators at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The game will be televised by ABC at 3:30pm ET (Buy Tickets).

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KJ Bolden has been named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award 🏆 pic.twitter.com/LhB26WB2CH

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) October 27, 2026