Jake Pope, a consensus top 300 national prospect from Buford High School made his long-awaited decision on which college he would commit to playing for on Monday evening. Pope was surrounded by family, friends, teammates and coaches at BHS as he made the decision to play for Alabama.

Pope is a versatile player who has excelled at playing at safety, receiver and return man. Last year as a junior, Pope had 60 tackles, six behind the line, seven touchdown receptions and more than 400 return yards. 

Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia and North Carolina made Pope’s top five out of more than 30 offers from various colleges around the country. 

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior was a key member of the past two state championship teams for Buford. Pope made one of the most critical plays in last year’s state championship game in overtime where he forced a fumble to give Buford the shot to win.

He is ranked as a four-star safety by 247 Sports. Pope has made the AJC’s Preseason All-State First Team and Georgia High School Football Daily’s Georgia Power Top 100 list. Pope is Buford’s highest-rated safety this century.

Pope is a two-sport athlete who also plays baseball for the Wolves.

Featured photo above:  Jake Pope during the GHSA State Championship game versus Lee County last December.  Photo by Alicia Couch Payne