Selfless, a great leader and a will to win. That’s exactly what you get in St. Rita’s 2017 OG Jake Stover. We talked his recruiting, his underrated teammates and what’s next for St. Rita.

You can find Jake on Twitter @stoverr66.

Jake Stover

Offensive Guard
St. Rita
Chicago, IL

Ht: 6’3″
Wt: 295 lbs
Class: 2017

Commitment status: Undecided

LPI: What are the biggest things you do at and outside of practice so you can take your game to the next level?

JS: The first thing that most greatly contributes to my success on the field is training at EFT Sports Performance in Highland Park. During the entire offseason I train there for all aspects of my game, including technique training. When I cant make it there, especially in season, I train at my local gym and at home. During practice I just try to stick to my technique and emphasize things that I may have struggled with in the previous game. The thing that most greatly takes my game to the next level is my faith in God and prayer. I truly believe I would not be where I am today without God, and I will be forever thankful for everything He has done for me.

LPI: You currently have offers from Stetson, Valpo and NAIA Olivet Nazarene. What are your greatest strengths or why should schools offer you?

JS: My hard work and commitment to the game and in the classroom contributes to my second-to-none work ethic. I am also extremely coachable and I can learn and hold a lot of information very quickly. I am a very strong leader and have every captain quality you can think of. Most of all, I play with the most heart out of anybody. When you see me after a game, covered in blood, sweat, and tears, you know that I have left it all out on the field. I refuse to let myself disappoint. I can also play any position on the offensive line and defensive line including shotgun snap at center and long snap.

LPI: Offer or not, which schools have you kept in contact with the most? Or which schools have shown interest in you?

JS: University of Illinois- Urbana, Illinois State University, Indiana State, Western Michigan, Drake University, Missouri State, Southeast Missouri, Western Illinois, South Dakota State, Grand Valley State, and Sioux Falls University.

LPI: Where have you visited most recently and do you have any visits coming up?

JS: Drake University was my most recent visit. I do plan to visit within the next few weeks. The schools have not been determined yet.

LPI: You guys beat a talented Marmion team to finish the regular season at 5-4 and now open the playoffs at Rockford Auburn. Without giving away too much, what is your team going to do to get to Champaign?

JS: We have to come together stronger than ever before because we know what we are capable of doing and we have yet to do so. As soon as we start, which will be this week, we will be the most dangerous team. There is still a lot we have to prove to make our mission successful, and we plan on doing that starting this week.

LPI: Yourself, Marc Mondesir, Keegan O’Hara, Aaron Jones, Chris Childers and Tim Zaleski have been receiving recruiting attention. Who are some of your other teammates that you believe have a chance to play at the next level, but may be getting overlooked by college coaches?

JS:

Liam Kelly (Sr.) – Very strong leader and athletic. Has a lot of potential and room to develop.

Sean Coghlan (Sr.) – GREAT leader and plays with the same amount of passion as I do.

Connor Cahill (Jr.) – He is short, but plays like he is as big as anyone. A lot of passion and love for the game. A good amount of room to develop as well.

Mike McDevitt (Sr.) – Just a pure athlete who has some of the best hands I have seen, including some of the best in the state.

Shaun Rule (Sr.) – Plays with a lot of heart and is the hardest runner I have seen yet. He is like a Marshawn Lynch type of athlete.

Connor Kelly (Sr.) – The perfect quarterback physique and brains. Has room for improvement on the little things in his game.

Sean Macander (Sr.) – Again, plays with an enormous amount of heart and compassion. Also, one of the fastest DB’s in the 2017 class that I have seen.

Jake Zylman (Jr.) – great underclassmen leader and has the perfect “running” quarterback style physique. Like a new generation of Tommy Mister (2013).

William White (Sr.) – Strong defensive lineman who is EXTREMELY overlooked because he is on the shorter side, but again, someone who plays like he is as big as anyone on the field.

Kempton Shine (Soph.)– Sophomore DB who was able to lock down Jake Marwede and Ricky Smalling. That speaks volumes in my opinion. Also, an extreme athlete with speed and strength.