Boise State numerical roster countdown 2015: Day 84, Jake Hardee

We are on the downward turn towards 80, checking in on Jake Hardee at 84.

#84, Jake Hardee, RS Senior, TE

Stats

Height: 6’3"

Weight: 237 lbs

High School: Bishop Kelly High School, Boise, Idaho

How'd he get to the Blue™?

Technically, Hardee is a member of the infamous 2011 class that basically includes no one at this point. Hardee, however, was a local walk-on from Bishop Kelly. This class included members Jeff Worthy, Adam Sheffield, Eric Agbaroji, Hayden Plinke, Jake Van Ginkle, and you get the idea. His senior season at BK, his lone one on varsity, he earned All-SIC first team honors at tight end, catching 30 passes for 500 yards and 8 touchdowns. Primarily a basketball guy in high school he also earned 3 letters on the hardwood and earned numerous academic accolades, but we already knew he was smart because he chose the Broncos.

Nickname

"Milkshake"

Hand scooped and everything.

Look-a-like

A young Michael Rapaport maybe?

Career Highlights

Hardee red-shirted in 2011, but played in 5 games as a RS Frosh. His junior year was his stand-out year stats-wise with 5 catches for 73 yards. He played in all 14 games last year, but recorded no catches. But, while the stats aren’t attributed to him, he was part of a run blocking unit that allowed Jay Ajayi to become the first RB in NCAA history to rush for 1800+ yards and gain another 500+ through the air. One of his biggest highlights, I would say, was being awarded a scholarship last summer after spending 3 years paying his own way. That’s pretty awesome if you ask me. He was also a recipient of the Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Award in 2014 and a 2-time member of the Academic All-Mountain West Team.

2015 Prospectus

I will try and spare a repeat of the last few days as I am sure everyone is aware of the talent situation at TE. Part of the challenge, though, is there is a lot of young blood. While Hardee’s stats may not seem like much, especially compared to Roh or Huff, his leadership on and off the field cannot be matched. His knowledge of the system as well as his stellar blocking ability assures Hardee of seeing the field. He may not be catching many passes with the Roh breaking out and Huff healthy (hopefully), but his ability to block for RBs will come in handy this year while we break in a new starter. Blocking TEs are an extension of the OL, and when you have a player like Hardee who does it so well, it pays dividends in the run game. I expect Hardee to go out with a bang this last year.

Is he on Twitter?

Unless he has some weird handle, I can’t find him.

Completely made up fact

While Hardee is well known off the field as a book smarts guy, but he can also throw down some mad beats. Not only is he good with the books, but he is also an aspiring DJ/wedding singer. He will also do bar miztvahs, but it’ll cost you.