Jake Howe brings Illinois a veteran, high-effort interior presence
Jake Howe is a former Illinois defensive lineman/FB whose value was built on reliability, versatility, and high football IQ rather than flash: in 2013 he played in all 12 games and started the first six at nose tackle, finishing with 13 tackles, and his Illinois bio notes three-time Academic All-Big Ten recognition. He’s the kind of player coaches trust for assignment soundness, physical toughness, and unglamorous trench work, making him a good fit for teams that want a disciplined, team-first interior defender more than a stats-driven disruptor.
