Coach Nick Saban’s departure from Alabama last season was a multifaceted gift for Georgia. In addition to losing one of the best coaches in college football history, the Bulldogs also had the opportunity to acquire players who would have otherwise wanted to leave the Crimson Tide’s sphere of influence.
Jake Pope, a former three-star safety from Buford, Georgia, was one such player. Last winter, he moved to Athens from Tuscaloosa, following fellow Tide defensive back Maurice Smith. Over the course of two years, Pope has appeared in 12 games for Alabama, primarily on special teams.
“It will be interesting to see what kind of role Pope takes on in Athens,” noted RollTide Wire’s Brody Smoot at the time. He would have the opportunity to play under Kirby Smart, one of the top defensive coaches in college football.
By 2024, the situation became clear: Pope had no involvement with Smart’s program. On Saturday, On3 Sports reported that Pope had once again entered the transfer portal. While he may explore other opportunities, he could also choose to remain with Smart.
From Hayes Fawcett’s Twitter/X account: BREAKING NEWS: Georgia DB Jake Pope tells @on3sports that he has completed the necessary paperwork to enter the Transfer Portal.
“The 6’1″, 200-pound defensive back will have two years of eligibility remaining after transferring from Alabama last year.”
As he prepares for the Sugar Bowl between Indiana and Notre Dame on January 1, Smart has a lot on his plate. He’s also managing the recruiting process and overseeing the program.
“We’re currently recruiting the 2026 class, evaluating film, and reviewing tape on future opponents,” Smart said. “We stay in constant communication with our players. Our main focus is always on what we’re doing, and that will remain the priority, just as it is today. For the players who are committed to being here, we’ll continue practice and keep progressing.”
Additionally, no team in the nation will be without a departing player, most likely one they didn’t anticipate. However, it almost seems like that’s the standard now. Furthermore, it is what it is. Those who wish to participate will be coached.
