Georgia Bulldogs land UAB standout linebacker Jake Ganus

In a collegiate landscape that sees more and more schools trying to add football programs (Mercer, Georgia State, Kennesaw State anyone?), the University of Alabama-Birmingham shut theirs down a couple of weeks ago, becoming the first program at the FBS level to do so since Pacific in 1995. But, aside from just the informational aspect, that is neither here nor there.

With the Blazers’ program no more, and the 6-6 Conference USA team sitting out of a bowl game, those who play for UAB are now free to search for another school to play for. And, it just so happens the Georgia Bulldogs landed a pretty good one.

Say hello to Jake Ganus, who lead UAB in tackles this past year with 93 (58 of them coming solo), had three double-digit tackle games, including a 12 tackle game against 2014 C-USA champions Marshall and was named to Phil Steele’s All-Conference USA second team.

Ganus had been contacted by over 40 schools and had 18 official offers before deciding on the Dawgs. While he’ll be in just his first year with Georgia come 2015, he’ll be one of three senior linebackers on the squad, and he could very well be the only senior inside linebackers the Dawgs tout next year.

Georgia will look for that senior leadership from Ganus to improve upon an already solid defensive year in terms of yardage wise – the Dawgs were 13th in the country in rushing yards allowed but 89th (ouch) when it came to the passing game.

Jake Ganus might not have played at the highest level before, but his 40-plus interested schools should be a sign that UGA got a hot-commodity, and Dawgs fans have lots to look forward to come 2015.