Jacob Richard - Bio
Jersey number - 62
Position - Center
Height - 6-foot-1
Weight - 286 lbs
Year - Senior
Hometown - Weston, Conn.
High School - Weston
Major - Business
Experience - 3 letters
He's always looked up to his older brothers.
Ball State senior center Jacob Richard saw his brother Jameson Richard play on the offensive line for Buffalo, and then professionally with the Indianapolis Colts. Jacob didn't start playing until the fifth grade, but he decided in kindergarten he wanted to follow in his brother's footsteps.
“Back when ... you submit [goals] when you're in 1st grade or kindergarten, mine was actually to play football in the NFL,” Jacob said.
Now, Jacob is a top Mid-American Conference center. He is a two-time All-MAC Third Team selection, and has twice been featured on a watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the nation's top center each year.
Jacob had a decorated career at Weston High School in Connecticut. He went on to prep school, where he helped lead Milford Academy to an 11-1 season.
When looking into college teams, though, Jacob found nobody was really looking back. The ability was there. His size limited his scholarship opportunities, however, and his dreams to play at the next level were in jeopardy.
“I didn't have any full offers," Jacob said. "I had partial to some places, but I really wanted the full-ride experience to feel like I made it. I honestly wasn't surprised—maybe a little discouraged.”
Jacob didn't stay down long.
His prep school coach, Bill Chaplick, knew Ball State offensive line coach John Strollo. Chaplick asked Strollo about Jacob, and it paid off. Jacob was offered an opportunity to walk on for the Cardinals.
"He wanted to try his hand at a bigger brand of ball," Strollo said. "My friend [Chaplick] said that he was a very good player, and we wouldn't be sorry if we brought him out."
Even though walk-ons are usually a long shot to make the roster, Jacob felt confident in his ability now that his foot was in the door.
“Through my head, though, it was really that this would be my shot,” Jacob said. "Even though [I was] walking on, I still had as good a chance as any to be on the team.”
So he started playing—with a chip on his shoulder.
He not only made the team, but also forced his way into the offensive line during his freshman season. He played in 11 games, including the team's Beef O' Brady's Bowl appearance.
Jacob looks back at his transition from walk-on to offensive line anchor with pride.
“It's pretty exciting when you do get recognized ... and people mention your name,” Jacob said.
While Jacob is still chasing his dream to play in the NFL, he studies hard to make sure he'll have a career if football doesn't work out. He maintains a 4.0 grade point average as a business major.
Ball State head coach Pete Lembo praised Richard's creative style in bettering himself on and off the field.
"He's a very, very highly self-motivated [player]," Lembo said. "But he also understands who he is and what he needs to do to be successful."
Jacob is currently in an MBA program and is interested in a sales career if the NFL doesn't come calling. Maintaining a high level of academic success isn't easy when he spends five to six hours a day practicing.
“Balancing football with school was at first a little daunting,” he said. “Once you get those habits built, it's not as difficult as when you were a freshman.”
Football is a concrete part of Jacob's life, but he wants to make sure it doesn't define him. His love for the game comes from how it develops peoples' characters. Talent can get a guy in the door, but for Jacob, his self-made attitude helped him stay there.
“To get everything together working on one level and to be around a bunch of guys who also want to better themselves is an awesome experience,” Jacob said. “It's probably why I love doing what I do.”
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