Georgia Bulldogs: 5 Defensive Players to Watch Vs. ULM

November 16 , 2013; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates quarterback Shane Carden (5) is knocked to the ground after his pass by the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers defensive back Jake Ganus (4) at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The East Carolina Pirates defeated the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers 63-14. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

As sad as I am for the situation that unraveled at UAB last fall, the Georgia Bulldogs were able to sign one of the Blazers’ best tacklers in Senior ILB Jake Ganus.  Jake was one of the leaders on the Blazers’ defense.  Had the University of Alabama System not shut down their program temporarily for no reason, the 6-6 UAB Blazers would have been bowl eligible for the second time in school history.  The other time was when Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White starred for the program.

In 2015, Jake Ganus is playing for two teams: the dormant UAB Blazers as well as his new team, the Georgia Bulldogs.  Knowing that he has at minimum only 12 more games of collegiate football left in his career, expect Jake Ganus to play inspired football for the Dawgs at inside linebacker this fall.

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While Jake was a sure-fire starter at UAB, I see the Georgia Bulldogs using more of a rotation for ILB Coach Mike Ekeler than in years past.  Regardless of his spot on the UGA LB depth chart, Ekeler and DC Jeremy Pruitt will find ways to get Jake on the field to strongly effect the Dawgs’ run defense.

I hope that Jake has a fantastic one-year stint with the Georgia Bulldogs football program.  To have your entire team and athletic scholarship ripped out from under you entering your senior season is something I wouldn’t wish on anybody.  I’m very confident in Jake Ganus’ willingness to compete for the Dawgs this fall.  Dawg Nation is pulling for you!

Next: The Next Stud in the Secondary?