One Of State’s Top 2022 ATHs Earns Offer From Alabama

Matt DeBary January 22, 2021 @ 09:34 AM

Offers are coming in daily for some of the state’s top prospects right now and one of the very best earned a gigantic offer this week from the reigning national champions. 2022 Buford (GA) ATH DB [player_tooltip player_id="33896" first="Jake" last="Pope"] is coming off a great junior season where he led the Wolves to another state championship. The 6-foot-2 190-pound athlete has great ball skills and locates the ball in the air as well as anyone in the state. He’s a fluid runner with above average athleticism that allows him to make plays at both safety and receiver. He plays on a very talented team, but Pope always found a way to make a play and have a big impact on the game. When the Wolves needed a play, Pope was there to make it. He has a physical side and knows how to properly tackle as a defensive back. On that side of the ball, he has the ball skills needed as safety against the pass, but he also knows how to come down into the box and help against the run. Pope’s forced fumble at the end of the state championship against Lee County secured Buford another state championship. He’s a true playmaker and that aspect of his game could be the biggest reason why the Tide extended their offer. As a receiver, Pope consistently gets open underneath but has the speed to get behind defensive backs who aren’t fundamentally sound. He has reliable hands and always found a way to make a big catch when it mattered most. The Wolves played multiple QBs throughout the season, but no matter which one was in the game, they knew they could rely on Pope. He might be ranked as a current three-star prospect at the moment, but that ranking will change in the offseason. He has good size, a lean frame, and he’s physical enough to play in the SEC. He can win jump-balls against physical defensive backs, and he’s strong enough to block on the perimeter. He may not flash the way other playmaking receivers do, but Pope is a reliable weapon who can line up in the slot or on the outside. He does his job each play and has been incredibly productive for one of the top high school programs across the state. As a junior, Pope played on both sides of the ball and made plays wherever he was. The Wolves are state champions, and a big reason for that was the play of Pope down the stretch. He was there to make plays all season, and made the final play at the end to secure the championship. Now that the Tide have offered, Pope can expect more to come his way soon. He’s a great athlete, but more importantly, he’s a winner. Look for Pope to continue his winning ways as a senior in 2021.