It wasn’t the first time Wade Jacobson thought his days of playing football were over when he took off his Washington State jersey in December. Stepping off the field at Andy Hardin Field his senior year at San Benito High, he never thought he would play the sport again.
Of course he did, and five years later Jacobson – along with hundreds of other hopefuls – is preparing for the National Football League Draft in April. But just one year ago, Jacobson wasn’t sure that dream was a reality.
After going through spinal surgery, Jacobson was prepared for this football playing days to be over.
“I could tell you, I thought I was done with football,” he said. “To go from that to this – it’s been great. There was a lot of speculation if I could come back and play like I was. To go from junior college to DI. And now I have a chance to go to the NFL, its been a lot of fun.”
After signing with MB Sports Management a couple weeks after the Cougars ended their season with an upset 31-28 victory over rival Washington, Jacobson has dedicated himself to one thing: Improving his all-around game for the NFL.
That road started on Jan. 11 in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game in Tucson. As the starting guard for the West squad, Jacobson played against opponents from throughout the country, including SEC schools such as Georgia and Florida.
Jacobson helped lead his team to a 40-7 victory.
“That was big,” he said. “It was exciting to be able to do something like that.”
But perhaps the most memorable thing about the all-star weekend was the crowd of scouts, Jacobson said. Always following the players around, asking questions and taking notes, it was similar to being on a reality show.
“It was like being on American’s Top Model,” he said.
The athletics were weighted and measured, as more than 100 scouts from the NFL and other professional football teams watched.
But once the game ended, Jacobson flew to Utah to work on his skill sets. Without an invite to the combine, which takes place over the weekend, Jacobson knows his best chance to impress the scouts will be during the Washington State pro day on March 7.
“I know I’m not going to the combine so I just need to prove what I can do in Pullman,” he said. “That’s what I’m working toward.”
And his work is starting to show, he said. His 40 time is down. He is quicker among cones and his strength is building.
“Everything is going really well right now,” he said. “I want to open some eyes. It’s how people will notice me.”
And he couldn’t have done it without this family.
“To get all the support from my family and friends, it’s been great,” Jacobson said. “It means I’m not doing this by alone.”
Look back for more closer to the NFL Draft from April 25 to April 27.
Lauren Adamek
San Benito alumnae and Menlo senior Lauren Adamek was named to the 2013 California Pacific Conference women’s basketball All-Conference first team Wednesday.
She was joined by two other Menlo teammates on the first team. Menlo’s Jolise Limcaco was named the player of the year as well.
Menlo finished the season 24-3 on Feb. 16.
Darin Gillies
The season got off to a rough start for former San Benito ace Darin Gillies. The Arizona State sophomore took a 7-6 loss Sunday against Bethune-Cookman.
The loss was the Sun Devils first during the young season.
Gillies struggled early. After an easy three-batter first inning, Gillies struggled with control in the second inning. He walked six batter, threw two wild pitches and allowed five earned runs. He didn’t allow a hit but retired only three of the batters he faced.
The Sun Devils return to the field Friday against Tennessee.
JC Clayton
Despite hitting .395 over the Cougars’ first 10 games, the BYU softball team has struggled out of the gates. In back-to-back tournaments, the Cougars have started 4-6, going 2-3 in both tourneys.
Meanwhile, Clayton has continued her hot hitting from a year ago. In 38 at bats, Clayton has 15 hits – all singles – and five RBIs.
