Jake Cleaveland '24 Recruiting Profile

My main objective is to get a college education. College is really expensive for many students today, and being the son of teacher and medical field worker, I am scared I will fall into the category of not being able to afford a four-year education.  I have an older sister who is in the military, and while I am very proud of her, I would like to try and do something different. Last summer, I worked on a construction site, and the heat and hard work really showed me that it might be better to make a living with my brain rather than my back.

What makes me a good candidate for a team is that I am a true team player. I care about all my teammates and want them to succeed no matter the score of the game. I also am dedicated and understand the importance of practice and preparation. One of my favorite past times is to be in the weight room either with my teammates or my father. As the son of a former coach, I have been around football fields my whole life, and I began playing when I was four. My love for the game truly goes back a long way. I am a flexible player who can be used wherever a team needs me.

As a recruit, what separates me from others may be how humble I am. Sometimes, I would rather see my teammates and friends receive the praise than myself. I am not a harsh critic of myself, but I always do think about what could I have done better. I am also an extremely hard worker who does not mind taking orders. Many people often see how trustworthy I am, and allow me to take on roles that many sixteen-year-olds would not be given. I am not a very talkative person, but I enjoy the company of family and friends. Listening to them tell their stories is very funny for me. Yet, I recently saw that I do need to talk more and ask question on my own. I know I can not count on other people to speak up for me.