Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: 51 Days
51 days out of Georgia versus Oregon, and we’re continuing to look back on how the number relates to the Bulldogs throughout history.
We thought about Tate Ratledge, who rocks the best hair on the team and looks like he’s due for a matchup with the Bushwhackers in Survivor Series. He sported 51 for his first two years on campus, but he’s moved onto a number much more befitting of his hairstyle choices — 69.
Akeem Dent also sported it and had quite a career in Athens.
But we’re looking toward one of my favorite players who’s donned the red and black and one of the great underdog stories in all of college football history, at least from where I’m sitting.
That’s Jake Ganus.
Caught up in one of the weirdest situations in college football’s recent memory, Ganus was a casualty of the UAB program shutdown.
The situation brought coaches from across the country flocking to Birmingham to find experienced Division-1 players with immediate eligibility.
At the time, Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and outside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer were deeply connected in the state, and Pruitt had a previous relationship with Ganus, having run the Alabama walk-on program during his initial stint there.
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The Dawgs ended up being the landing spot for Ganus, who grew up in the Alpharetta area before his family relocated to Chelsea, Alabama.
In his lone season, Ganus played all 13 games, totaling over 100 tackles, five tackles for loss, and a sack.
He also contributed two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in the campaign.
Ganus was also named a permanent team captain.
An undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, Ganus tested the NFL waters before landing with Alabama powerhouse Thompson High School as a coach.
He is now the head coach of Moody High School in Moody, Alabama.
Cheers to a damn good Dawg who had just a season to make an impact and clearly made the most of it.
Recent Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff Stories
No. 52 – Greyson Lambert’s record setting performance in 52-20 victory over Gamecocks
No. 53 – Hot Pod ices the Peach Bowl
No. 54 – Justin Shaffer + the Play
Does your blood run Red and Black?
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