Tag: jake pope

Former Alabama defensive back re-enters NCAA transfer portal

The former Alabama safety spent a season at Georgia.

A former Alabama Crimson Tide safety, Jake Pope has officially re-entered the NCAA transfer portal after one season with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Pope, who is in his first season in Athens, has not recorded any stats with the Bulldogs so far this season. The safety also did not record any stats while at Alabama during either the 2022 or 2023 seasons, but did see action while on special teams during the latter of those two as a redshirt freshman.

Prior to Alabama, Pope originally came to Tuscaloosa as a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2022 recruiting class where he was ranked as a four-star prospect out of Buford High School in Georgia. Then, Pope was also ranked as the nation’s No. 391 overall player in the 2022 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Now in the transfer portal, Pope joins a growing list of former Alabama transfers who have re-entered so far this cycle, some of which recently include JoJo Earle and Antonio Kite, among others.

Georgia safety enters the transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs safety Jake Pope enters the transfer portal after one season with UGA

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore safety Jake Pope has announced plans to transfer and has officially submitted the paperwork to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Pope will have two years of eligibility remaining after spending just one season with the Bulldogs.

A Buford High School standout, Pope began his college career at Alabama, where he redshirted in 2022. In 2023, he contributed as a reserve and special teams player before entering the transfer portal at the end of the season. Georgia and North Carolina emerged as his top choices, and he ultimately chose to play closer to home in Athens.

Pope briefly celebrated with one of his former high school teammates after Ole Miss’ upset win over Georgia. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart called Pope “an idiot” for the incident, but later apologized.

Pope becomes the fourth Georgia defender in two days to enter the portal, joining safety Justyn Rhett, redshirt freshman linebacker Troy Bowles, and redshirt freshman edge rusher Samuel M’Pemba. In total, seven Bulldogs have now entered the portal or announced intentions to transfer since it opened.

Georgia’s Kirby Smart on celebrating Jake Pope: ‘What an idiot’

Georgia coach Kirby Smart wasn’t happy with DB Jake Pope

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart became aware of redshirt sophomore DB celebrating on the field after Dawgs’ loss to Ole Miss on Saturday.

Smart explained Pope’s, um, not smart actions, by starting with “What an idiot” and then explaining it as a friend of Pope who the player had not seen in a long time.

Still…

Pope addressed the moment via social media:

“I wanted to address the videos that have been put out after the Ole Miss game,” Pope posted on Twitter. “First and foremost I wanted to say sorry for the way it was taken out of perspective and has caused distractions/commotion for my teammates and coaches. This is not representative of who I am in any way. In no way, shape or form would I ever celebrate a loss in this program and anyone who knows me well knows that.

Kirby Smart calls Georgia player an idiot for celebrating with Ole Miss

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart did not mince words when he found out one of his players celebrated with an Ole Miss fan after Georgia’s loss

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart had harsh words for Georgia safety Jake Pope, who celebrated with a childhood friend after Georgia lost to Ole Miss.

Pope, who transferred to Georgia from Alabama, primarily plays special teams. Pope has appeared in just three games this season and has not recorded any statistics.

“What an idiot. Just stupid,” Smart said on the video of Pope celebrating with an Ole Miss fan. “I didn’t see it until today. He’s embarrassed about it. He’s upset about it. That’s obviously a childhood friend of his. They grew up and played with at Buford. Hadn’t seen him in forever. Just not real smart.”

“But to be honest with I don’t have time to waste energy on that,” continued Smart. “You know what I’m saying. My focus is on Tennessee. I’m not real worried on that.”

Speaking of Tennessee, Georgia will host Tennessee at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Former Alabama safety Jake Pope transferring to Georgia

Former Alabama safety Jake Pope announced that he was transferring to Georgia. He spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Amidst a busy week, one former Alabama player announced his plans to continue his college career elsewhere. On Friday evening, former Alabama safety Jake Pope announced that he was transferring to Georgia.

The product of Buford High School came to Alabama regarded as a three-star prospect. In two seasons at Alabama, Pope played in 12 games. The majority of his playing time came as a member of Alabama’s special teams unit.

Pope is the second player to have played under Nick Saban at Alabama to transfer to Georgia. The other was former Alabama defensive back Maurice Smith.

It will be interesting to see what type of role Pope carves out for himself in Athens. He will have the opportunity to play for one of the best defensive-minded head coaches in college football — Kirby Smart.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest news regarding the Alabama football program and its former players in the NCAA transfer portal.

Alabama safety in the transfer portal commits to Georgia

Alabama safety commits to the Georgia Bulldogs shortly after Nick Saban retired

Alabama Crimson Tide freshman safety Jake Pope is transferring to the Georgia Bulldogs. Pope committed to Georgia on Friday evening.

Pope, a former four-star recruit, played high school football at Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. Kirby Smart and Georgia football heavily recruited Pope out of high school.

Pope did not see any game action as a true freshman in 2022. This past season, Pope played in 11 games as a special teams player. Pope is leaving Alabama shortly after legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement.

Pope announced his commitment to Georgia football via social media. Georgia fans and media were fired up to steal a player from the Crimson Tide.

Alabama safety Jake Pope enters the NCAA transfer portal

Jake Pope enters the transfer portal

Alabama’s transfer portal attrition continued on Sunday with the announcement that redshirt freshman defensive back Jake Pope had entered his name into the portal.

Pope, a talented safety prospect from Buford made for the third Crimson Tide defensive back to enter the portal during this transfer window.

Pope was a special teams contributor throughout the 2023 season for Alabama and would have likely battled for the starting safety spot left void by the departure of Jaylen Key who exhausted his eligibility.

Pope was a four-star prospect coming out of high school and chose Alabama over Georgia, Notre Dame, and North Carolina.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 21 days

We are just 21 days away from the start of Alabama’s 2023 football season!

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2023 college football season in 21 days, as Middle Tennessee State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until Nick Saban and his team take the field.

With 21 days remaining, we will take a look at a former standout at corner for the Tide, [autotag]Dre Kirkpatrick[/autotag].

Kirkpatrick played for the Crimson Tide from 2009-11 where he accumulated 91 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 16 pass breakups.

Redshirt defensive back Jake Pope currently wears No. 21 for the Crimson Tide.

Dre Kirkpatrick’s Photo Gallery

10 players who stood out in Alabama’s A-Day game on Saturday

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at 10 players that stood out in Alabama’s A-Day game on Saturday afternoon.

Alabama held its annual spring game on Saturday, April 22. There were some key returners as well as plenty of newcomers who put their skillset on display for the Alabama fanbase.

The Tide saw several star players enter the NFL draft in the offseason. This simply means that other players will have to step up to replace them.

There were a couple of players that stood out more than others in the A-Day spring game. With spring practices wrapping up, there will be a handful of others that join the team in the summer.

Roll Tide Wire highlights 10 players who stood out in Alabama’s A-Day game on Saturday.

SIGNED: 4-Star safety Jake Pope inks NLI with Crimson Tide

Alabama lands another highly sought-after recruit in Safety Jake Pope!

Alabama’s Early National Signing Day is beginning to heat up after landing 4-star offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett from Columbus, Georgia, the Crimson Tide now goes back into the Bulldog state to steal another top recruit, this time in Buford’s Jake Pope.

Pope, a 4-star safety from Buford, stands at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, and was highly sought after.

He held offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Florida and others.

This comes as no surprise, however, because Pope was not shy about his commitment to the Crimson Tide. He has been verbally committed to Alabama since mid-August.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama’s 2022 early National Signing Day Class.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.