Photo credit: Kevin Phillips

2019 Selah (Wash.) running back Jake Weber was incredibly patient in the recruiting process, and it paid off with a perfect landing spot in Eastern Oregon University.

He had a multitude of college offers he was considering, including schools like Pacific Lutheran University, Whitworth University, George Fox University, and Dakota-Wesleyan University.

The decision became easy for Weber after visiting EOU this past February.

“I really like how invested the coaches are with their players,” Weber said. “I got a chance to talk to my former QB [Zak Donato], and he’s absolutely loving it there.”

One moment stood out as particularly special during Weber’s visit. As he was talking with the coaches in the weight room, EOU players began filing in to get their workout in.

The sheer loudness and energy from the EOU players mesmerized Weber. He knew right there that this is the kind of culture he wanted to be apart of.

“They were just in an everyday lift, and everyone was like, ‘c’mon! Get this! Let’s go!” Weber said.

Jake Weber is a highly intriguing prospect. While he does have elite college speed, he’s also very undersized for the running back position.

His 40 is hand-timed in the 4.5s, which is phenomenal. The big drawback for him is he checks in at just 5-foot-9 150 pounds.

At any level of football, that’s a a small tailback. So it’s become Weber’s calling this off-season to make big time improvements in his size and strength.

“I’ve been told by several people to ‘protein this and supplement that’ and weightlifting,” Weber said. “I’ve been doing all that and it’s not really going for me.”

He’s hoping that when the EOU Strength & Conditioning staff get a hold of him, the changes will start to become drastic.

With NFL guys like Phillip Lindsay (190 pounds), Tarik Cohen (179 pounds), and even Myles Gaskin (192) all acting as workhorse backs, Weber is confident he can fit that mold.

While the goal is to play running back at EOU, if that does not work out, it’s very realistic Weber could play an array of other positions.

At Selah, Weber played nearly every position unit on the field. From running back, tor receiver, to cornerback, to special teams returner.

That swiss army knife mindset could prove to be valuable when he comes to EOU.

Currently there are ten running backs on EOU’s roster. Realistically if Weber doesn’t crack that top three, playing time is going to be slim.

The good news is EOU head coach Tim Camp is very open to the idea of Weber potentially trying other positions.

A slot receiver or cornerback role is definitely not out of the realm of possibility.

“My goal has always been to just play college football,” Weber said. “Obviously I’d love to play running back, but if coaches see me fit better at slot or corner, I’ll play there.”

Given his stacked resume playing for Selah, Weber has certainly earned the right to play at the college level.

He got his big break midway through his sophomore year. With Selah up big on Wapato, Weber finally got the call up from the JV ranks.

The coaches were so impressed by his performance, that he ended up earning a spot in the rotation, and scoring eight touchdowns the rest of the year.

Over the next two seasons, Weber became Selah’s workhorse back and won two First Team All League awards.

His greatest memory playing for Selah was the state title run the Vikings made his junior year.

“Winning our first state playoff game in over 30 years ago was super awesome,” Weber said. “To be undefeated in league, beating Prosser and Ellensburg, that was a special year.”

This is a local product that will be worth keeping track of as he attempts to make a name for himself at EOU.

It’s not often Selah produces college football talent, so Weber is eager to represent the Viking Football community in a big way.

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