UGASports is counting down the days until the Bulldogs’ 2024 season opener. For each day in our countdown, we will reveal our opinion of the best player in Georgia history to wear that particular jersey number.

With 44 days before kickoff, we select Ben Zambiasi as the best Georgia player to wear No. 44.

Position: Linebacker

Hometown (High School): Macon, GA (Mount de Sales Academy)

Height/Weight: 6-1, 210

Lettered: 1974-1977

Stats: 467 total tackles (221 solo, 246 assisted)

Career: If you wondering who has the most career tackles in Georgia history, it is our number 44 choice on the Kickoff Countdown. Ben Zambiasi was born in Valdosta and then moved to Macon before attending UGA. He made 10 tackles as a freshman in 1974 before putting up incredible tackle totals never seen from a Bulldog. Zambiasi made 148, 144, and 165 tackles, respectively, from 1975-1977. The 165 was a Georgia single-season record until Knox Culpepper broke it. Zambiasi's three totals are still in the top ten on Georgia’s list. He was named All-SEC in those seasons. As a junior in 1976, he was named All-American by the majority of outlets. Zambiasi also helped lead the Bulldogs to a 1976 conference title and was named the team’s captain his senior season.

Post-UGA Career: Zambiasi played 14 seasons in the Canadian Football League for Hamilton and Toronto. He was named the CFL Rookie of the Year in 1978 and was the Defensive MVP in 1979. Zambiasi was inducted into the UGA Circle of Honor in 2007 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

Honorable Mention: Travon Walker, Steve Boswell, Robert Honeycutt, John Allen, Adrian Hollingshed