On March 15, Jake Bobo ran a 4.99 second 40-yard dash, while the average time for an NFL receiver is 4.48. Yet, Jake utilized his typical hard-work approach to realize his dream.
Jake Bobo was born on August 4, 1998, in North Andover, Massachusetts. After 7th grade, his family moved to Arkansas, and then back to Concord, Massachusetts. After returning to Massachusetts, Bobo enrolled in Belmont Hill.
He grew up in a family of athletes. Bobo’s father, Mike, is 7th on the all-time passing list for the Georgia Bulldogs and is currently their quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. Jake’s mother, Casey, played hockey at Dartmouth, and his grandfather, Keith, played football for SMU, before the Cowboys drafted him in 1974.
Considering his family’s athletic prowess, it’s no surprise that with his hard work, Jake found success on the gridiron. Bobo broke out for the Sextants his Sophomore year, catching 30 passes for 652 yards and 5 TDs. To bolster his profile further, he earned All-ISL honors in both basketball and track while earning 1st team All-ISL in football. Jake added two more seasons of 30+ catches, 500+ yards and 5+ TDs. By the end of his high school career, Bobo was considered a consensus top 6 prospect in Massachusetts. When asked what he thought about Bobo, Coach Butler said, “he is very talented but also very intelligent. He works incredibly hard, and he is always the last guy to leave.” Bobo has used his work ethic and his intelligence to excel in higher levels of football despite his slower 40-yard dash.
Following this incredible run at Belmont Hill, Jake took his talents to the next level, competing for the Duke Blue Devils. After a productive freshman campaign with flashes of brilliance, Bobo injured his shoulder and missed the first three games of his sophomore season. Nevertheless, he played 8 games, starting 2. In battling through the injury he proved the character he had always shown and was awarded the Mike Suglia award. Jake broke out his Junior year, starting all 11 games, and leading the team in receiving yards, hauling in 32 catches for 358 yards and a TD. Named a captain as a senior, Bobo posted 74 catches for 794 yards and a TD, earning him Third Team All-ACC honors.
Following his senior season, Bobo made a monumental decision for his football career. On December 14, 2021, Jake Bobo transferred to UCLA. Bobo continued turning heads, leading the Bruins with 57 catches, 817 yards, and 7 TDs, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors by the coaches, and second team all-conference by Pro Football Focus.
Following a special season at UCLA, Bobo set his sights on the NFL Draft. Jake never backed down from a challenge, but in his draft preparation, this quality may have hurt him. On UCLA’s pro day, where the best players try to prove themselves to NFL scouts, it was cold and raining. Against his agent’s advice, Bobo ran the 40 yard dash and posted a 4.99, a time less than two tenths of a second faster than noted speed-demon Tom Brady. Bobo was not drafted, but persevered and signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
It is worth noting that Jake dominated academically just as much as athletically. As a Junior, Bobo earned Boston Herald All-Scholastic honors. At Duke, he was an Academic All-ACC selection and a CoSIDA Academic All-District choice following both his Junior and Senior years. At UCLA Bobo was selected to the first-team 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and All-America football teams, earning a spot on the Fall and Spring 2022 Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, and being named a finalist for the Pop Warner College Football Award.
Jake’s work ethic is equally evident on the football field. Star Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf commented on Bobo’s work ethic and skill, and Seahawks fans have fallen in love with Bobo too, creating the #MoreBobo. Bobo backed up Metcalf’s comments, with a great preseason performance. In week 1 of the preseason, Bobo led the Seahawks with 55 yards receiving on 3 catches for a TD. In week 2, he finished 2nd on the team with 43 yards on 2 catches, and in week 3, he again finished 2nd on the team with 27 yards on 2 catches for a TD. Pete Carroll said of his performance, “He’s done great. He hasn’t just done well on a few plays in the games, he’s done well in practice throughout. So he’s been really steady. It’s not a surprise to see him play like that in games.” Things were looking good for Bobo, but a spot on the Seahawks 53 man roster still was not a guarantee. On August 29, Bobo made the Seahawks roster and realized his dream of becoming an NFL player. He’s still a backup, but on September 17, Bobo caught his first NFL pass for 3 yards in a Seahawks win. From the Panel Staff and Belmont Hill as a community, we wish Jake Bobo good luck with his football career!
