Jake Witt

Last updated

Jake Witt
No. 76
Position: Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (2000-02-07) February 7, 2000 (age 24)
Bruce Crossing, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:302 lb (137 kg)
Career information
High school:Ewen-Trout Creek (MI)
College: Michigan Tech (2018)
Northern Michigan (2019–2022)
NFL draft: 2023  / Round: 7 / Pick: 236
Career history
Player stats at PFR

Jake Witt (born February 7, 2000) is an American former professional football offensive tackle. Witt played college football at Northern Michigan and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was a tight end with Northern Michigan before a position change during the 2021 season. He had previously played college basketball at Michigan Tech.

Contents

Early years

Witt was born on February 7, 2000. [1] He grew up in the small town of Bruce Crossing, Michigan which is located east of Duluth by three hours and south of Lake Superior by approximately 30 minutes. [2] The town did not have any football teams, not even pee-wee youth leagues. [2] He began playing basketball in second grade and continued through high school. [2]

Witt was a standout athlete at Ewen-Trout Creek High School, at which he played basketball and track, and, starting as a junior, football. [2] [3] He played for the school's eight-man football team (they did not have a full team, as they did not have enough players) and playing wide receiver, recorded 102 receptions in 18 games while being named all-state. [2] [4] Witt initially received attention from colleges for basketball, but he generated interest from schools for football as well. [2] As a senior, he concentrated on basketball and he was subsequently named the Upper Peninsula Mr. Basketball. He finished his high school career with over 1,000 points scored and over 1,000 rebounds. [2] [5] Witt was valedictorian of his class. [6]

College career

Michigan Tech

After graduating from high school, Witt had a decision to make about college – not just about which to attend, but also about what sports to play. [2] "[It] came down to Michigan Tech for basketball, Northern Michigan [NMU] for football or [to] take my preferred walk-on spot at Central Michigan," he later said. [2] "So two of my final three choices were football. But I decided to go the basketball route." [2] Witt announced his commitment to Michigan Tech in November 2017, [7] and played his first season in 2018, posting an average of 6.4 points-per-game. [2] According to The Athletic , he "appeared to have a bright future" with the team, but as a sophomore decided to change his major, which also meant in his case changing schools. [2]

Northern Michigan

Witt transferred to NMU, and started pursuing a sports and fitness management degree. [2] After not playing sports for a year, he decided he wanted to try out football again in 2020. [2] He joined the team at tight end but soon after the season was canceled due to COVID-19. [2] The following year, with activities being resumed, he played but was mainly used as a blocker, having compiled only 79 receiving yards on six catches through the year's first eight matches. [2]

At halftime during their mid-season game against the eventual national champions Ferris State, Witt was told that he needed to play offensive lineman because of injuries to NMU teammates. He was selected because no one else wanted to play the position, and because his size (6 ft 7 in [2.01 m], 265 lb [120 kg]) made him the best player for the position among remaining members of the team. [2] He had never played the position before, but "after 10 minutes of coaching Jake to play a whole new position, he allowed zero sacks or pressures against the best defensive line in the country," said coach Dylan Chmura. [2] It took "five or six" practice repetitions for him to get the correct stance, and that was the only preparation Witt had before he went up against undefeated Ferris State and their lineman Caleb Murphy, among the top players in Division II. [2]

"The film was silly," Witt later said. [2] "I looked like a basketball player out there trying to defend someone. I didn't know what else to do." [2] He played the last two games of the year as NMU's starting right tackle and after the season his coaches decided he would stay on the line for 2022, although on the left side, instead of the right. [2] Witt gained 15 pounds to prepare for the 2022 season and appeared in 11 games, all as a starter. [2] In December 2022, he declared for the NFL draft. [8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 7+1⁄8 in
(2.01 m)		302 lb
(137 kg)		33+1⁄2 in
(0.85 m)		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		4.89 s1.71 s2.76 s4.62 s7.44 s37.0 in
(0.94 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		22 reps
Sources: [9] [10]

Witt declined an opportunity to participate in the College Gridiron Showcase, as he wanted more time to prepare himself to show his talents to National Football League (NFL) teams. [2] Although not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, he began receiving attention from NFL teams after impressing at his pro day. [2] Witt's 4.89-second 40-yard dash would have placed first at the combine for his position, as well as his 37-inch (94 cm) vertical jump; additionally, his 10-foot-3-inch (3.12 m) broad jump would have been the longest for a lineman in the past decade. [2] He also was given a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.92, which was the 11th-best out of 1,233 offensive tackles going back to 1987. [2]

In the 2023 NFL draft, Witt was selected in the seventh round, 236th overall, by the Indianapolis Colts, the first Wildcat drafted since Mark Maddox in 1991. [11] [12] He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 5, 2023 with a hip injury. [13]

On August 27, 2024, Witt was released by the Colts. [14] After being released, Witt announced his retirement from football. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eight-man football</span> Form of gridiron football

Eight-man football is a form of gridiron football, generally played by high schools with smaller enrollments. Eight-man football differs from the traditional 11-man game with the reduction of three players on each side of the ball and a field width that can be reduced to 40 yards, 13 1/3 yards narrower than the 53 1/3-yard 11-man field. Most states continue to play on a field 100 yards long, whereas a few states opt for 80-yard lengths. Reduced-player football, which consists of eight-man, six-man, and nine-man football has gained popularity across the United States. As of 2015, 1,561 schools in 30 states sponsor reduced-player football, with 1,161 of those teams participating in eight-man leagues, whereas 284 teams play six-man football and 116 teams play nine-man football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarik Glenn</span> American football player (born 1976)

Tarik Glenn is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 10 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 1997 NFL draft. Glenn made three Pro Bowls and was a part of the Colts team that beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Long</span> American football player (born 1985)

Jake Edward Long is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, twice earning consensus All-American honors. Long was selected with the first overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL draft. He also played for the St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Gross</span> American football player (born 1980)

Jordan Alan Gross is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes, earning consensus All-American honors. He spent his entire career with the Panthers, who selected him eighth overall in the 2003 NFL draft, and became their sideline reporter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Diem</span> American football player (born 1979)

Ryan Edwin Diem is a former American football offensive lineman who played his entire 11-year professional career for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Diem was born in Roselle, Illinois, played college football at Northern Illinois, and was drafted by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. Diem played for the Colts from 2001 to 2011 and was part of the Super Bowl XLI championship team that beat the Chicago Bears.

Christopher Jerrod Hinton is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Indianapolis Colts franchise. In addition to his seven seasons with the Colts, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons for four seasons and the Minnesota Vikings for two seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gosder Cherilus</span> American football player (born 1984)

Gosder Cherilus is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College, and was selected by the Detroit Lions 17th overall in the 2008 NFL draft. Cherilus also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Veldheer</span> American football player (born 1987)

Jared Veldheer is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football at Hillsdale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J'Marcus Webb</span> American football player (born 1988)

J'Marcus Webb is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football at West Texas A&M.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Ijalana</span> American football player (born 1989)

Benjamin Ijalana is an American former professional football player who was a offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Villanova Wildcats and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Banner</span> American football player (born 1993)

Zachery Samuel Banner, nicknamed "the Hulk", is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). At Lakes High School, he was a two-time All-American offensive lineman. He played tackle in college football for the USC Trojans, with whom he was a two-time All-American and first-team All-Pac-12. Banner was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft, and made his NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns the same year. He was also a member of the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Conklin</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jonathan Jackson Conklin is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Spriggs</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jason Michael Spriggs is an American former professional football player who was a offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braden Smith</span> American football player (born 1996)

Braden Smith is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashawn Slater</span> American football player (born 1999)

Rashawn Slater is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Jake Curhan is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California, and was a two-time Pac-12 honorable mention. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 NFL draft, debuted in the NFL that season, and started five games at right tackle while also playing in 10 other games as a rookie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernhard Raimann</span> Austrian-born American football player (born 1997)

Bernhard Raimann is an Austrian professional American football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Central Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Murray (Canadian football)</span> American football player (born 1997)

Jordan Murray is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Hayes (American football)</span> American football player (born 2000)

Ryan Hayes is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines.

Matthew Dylan Goncalves(Pronounced: Gone-SAL-ves) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh and was selected by the Colts in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Jake Witt". Northern Michigan Wildcats. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Brugler, Dane (March 22, 2023). "The Rapid Rise of 2023 NFL Draft Prospect Jake Witt: 'He's Going to Be Drafted'" . The Athletic . Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  3. ↑ "NMU Offensive Tackle Declares for NFL Draft". Upper Michigan's Source. Negaunee, Michigan: WLUC-TV. December 8, 2022. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  4. ↑ Grall, Dennis (December 22, 2017). "Jake Witt: The UP's Best-Kept Secret". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  5. ↑ Juno, Jason (February 6, 2018). "Witt is unique to E-TC's strong history of guards". The Daily Mining Gazette . Houghton, Michigan. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  6. ↑ Marchionte, Bo (February 4, 2023). "NFL Draft: Northern Michigan OT Jake Witt Runs Sub-4.8". Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  7. ↑ Juno, Jason (November 9, 2017). "E-TC's Jake Witt Signs NLI to Play Basketball at Michigan Tech". The Daily Mining Gazette. Houghton, Michigan. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  8. ↑ Durant, Jake (December 9, 2022). "NMU's Jake Witt Talks Decision to Declare for NFL Draft". UPMatters.com. Marquette, Michigan: WJMN-TV. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Jake Witt Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Jake Witt College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  11. ↑ Crawford, Kirkland (April 29, 2023). "Northern Michigan OL Jake Witt Picked by Colts in Round 7 of NFL Draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Northern Michigan Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Colts sign TEs Nick Eubanks, Michael Jacobson, place OT Jake Witt on injured reserve, waive RB Toriano Clinton". Colts.com. August 5, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  14. ↑ Bretl, Paul. "Colts reportedly waiving OT Jake Witt as part of roster cuts". ColtsWire. USA Today. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  15. ↑ Erickson, Joel A. (August 28, 2024). "Colts offensive lineman Jake Witt retires, turns down practice squad opportunities". The Indianapolis Star .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.