The change in coaching staff at Alabama allowed Crimson Tide players to explore other opportunities through the transfer portal. On Friday night, the Georgia Bulldogs capitalized on this situation by securing the commitment of former Alabama defensive back Jake Pope.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound safety, who still has three years of eligibility, announced his decision on social media with a tweet saying, “Comin’ home!!! Committed,” accompanied by a graphic of Pope in a Georgia jersey.
During the 2023 season, Pope played in 11 games for Alabama, primarily contributing on special teams but also seeing defensive action against Kentucky and Chattanooga, though he did not record any statistics. He did not play in his true freshman year in 2022.
A standout at Buford High School, Pope was a four-star prospect in the 2022 class, ranked as the No. 30 prospect in the state of Georgia and the No. 28 safety by 247Sports. He played a crucial role in Buford High School winning multiple state championships in football and was also a highly regarded baseball prospect. Despite offers from Georgia, Notre Dame, and North Carolina, Pope initially chose Alabama.
Cooper Petagna, a national recruiting analyst at 247Sports, provided an evaluation of Pope in August 2021, describing him as a versatile three-phase player with the potential to excel as a receiver or safety at the next level. Pope’s athleticism, short-area burst, explosiveness, and instincts were highlighted, emphasizing his immediate impact on special teams and his ability to play bigger than his size.