We’ve got a very manageable 68 days until the 2021 season begins (in earnest!) for the Broncos, so today let’s have a look at #68 on the Boise State roster—Jake Stetz
#68 Jake Stetz, sixth-year senior, Offensive Lineman
Stats
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 310 pounds
High school: Mission Hills (San Marcos, Calif.)
How’d he get to the Blue?
Stetz is a great story – he initially came to Boise State in 2016 as a student, eventually joining as a walk-on in the spring of 2017. He had some small-school interest in high school, but was 245 pounds as a senior. His high school coach, Thomas Altieri, had two brothers who played for Boise State and helped facilitate an up-close look.
Nickname
“Double Barrel”
“Stetz” is German for a “stockily built man,” and he has a nice firearms collection, often taking teammates out target shooting in the desert, but also, the man has some strength. Could’ve thrown CT Thomas through the goalposts if he wanted!
Look-alike
This vintage Cabbage Patch Kid, complete with little football jersey, though his tummy isn’t poking out. They were the toy to have in the mid-1980s. Just ask your grandma.
Career Highlights
It’s hard not to root for a guy like Stetz, who went through a lot of effort just to get on the field, let alone thrive. He appeared in 14 games as a backup in 2018, then all 14 after going on scholarship in 2019, but that was a turning point – he started four games at guard and was the second-highest graded returning Group of Five offensive lineman going into 2020, per Pro Football Focus. In 2020, he took over as a full-time starter, starting all seven games, earning the team’s offensive lineman of the week honors four times and was named second-team All-Mountain West. He graduated in December with a degree in environmental studies.
2021 Prospectus
Suddenly, Stetz is a salty old veteran and will be a major part of an experienced offensive line. I’ll admit, it was a surprise to hear Brad Bedell suggested Stetz test NFL waters, but it says a lot about how coaches feel about him. He has the size and has been consistent in 11 career starts, so if he can continue to prove it over a full, normal season, the next level sure seems possible.
Is he on Twitter?
He sure does: He’s at the wacky handle @JakeStetz. He doesn’t tweet much, but his TL is allllll Boise State.
Completely made-up fact
He’s an amateur screenwriter. Should he make the NFL, his surreal script imagining himself as a pet in a world where animals are human, “The Secret Life of Stetz” will be a dark horse for an Oscar.