Interview With Long Island Wide Receiver Jake Bofshever

In 2019, Bofshever led his team in receptions (35) and receiving yards (399) while also scoring two touchdowns. He was a high school quarterback who came to college and switched to the wide receiver position following his freshman season.

Here’s our conversation below.

Life Before College

Simpson: So you grew up in Parkland, Florida. What sports did you play at an early age?

Bofshever: I played football, basketball, and baseball.

Simpson: I know a lot of people will play all three at an early age and as they go on and realize what sports they are better at, they will start focusing on just one or two. Did you play all three through high school?

Bofshever: I played football and baseball throughout high school. I played all three up to eighth grade. Once I got to high school the transition between baseball and basketball — you start juggling at the same time.

The Recruiting Process

Simpson: You were a high school quarterback, right?

Bofshever: Yeah I was actually a quarterback my freshman year of college as well.

Simpson: So you were recruited as a quarterback then?

Bofshever: Yeah that is correct.

Simpson: What schools were you recruited by?

Bofshever: I was recruited by FAU, FIU, Wagner, Marist, and LIU of course. Some of the schools in the NEC, like the FCS schools in that area.

Simpson: What ultimately let you to decide on Long Island?

Bofshever: I took visits to everywhere. I know my main thing was I did want to leave the state of Florida. With FIU and FAU, I didn’t receive full scholarships. I had preferred walk-on opportunities at those schools. I didn’t really want to stay in the Florida area if I had the opportunity to leave. The whole New York area did intrigue me. I’m a big believer in God and that stuff happens for reasons. I believe that when I got there, the people there, the coaches, and just the whole area. I had so many family connections to the New York area. It felt right, it just felt like that was the place that I needed to be.

Simpson: Did they offer you a full scholarship or was that a preferred walk-on there as well?

Bofshever: No, I had a full scholarship to LIU.

Simpson: Well I know that had to make that decision a little bit easier. Who led your recruitment to Long Island?

Bofshever: Coach Jonathan Gill.

Changing Positions

Simpson: As a college freshman, you were still playing quarterback. What ultimately led you to become a slot receiver?

Bofshever: I would say the main thing is I feel like I’m a football player so I’ve always took pride in that. Even in high school, there was times they threw me out there and they had me play safety  when we were down. The situation quarterback-wise, leading into my sophomore year and the years going forward, I felt the best way for me to get onto the field, you know as a football player you want to play football, so I felt like like I really had a chance to step onto the field asba sophomore and make an impact and help our team in the slot receiver role or on special teams. And I always knew my athleticism, I always had a really good understanding of the game and I always had good hands growing up so I knew I would be able to make the transition.

Simpson: How much playing time did you receive when you first moved to receiver?

Bofshever: My sophomore year I was more of a certain package type of guy. I played for every single special team for the majority of my whole college career. I played about 10 to 15 plays a game my sophomore year offensively and I started everything special teams.

Simpson: By now, a lot of people have seen that highlight video with you laying some pretty nice blocks out there in the open field. One thing I see that I brought up to you before, is that special teams is a way for those guys in the draft rooms to decide a tie between players. They want to know if that guy can get out there and play special teams and that leads to you earning a jersey. If one or two injuries happen, that gets you on the field as a receiver. One player I’ve liked you to is Matthew Slater out of New England. You never really see him on the field for anything other than special teams but he has become so good at that. He’s become such a valuable asset for the Patriots’ organization to have out there to cover all special teams plays.

Bofshever: Absolutely and I think special teams is probably the most important thing out there. You know, field position, that’s like the hidden yardage in football that people don’t really talk about or take notice. I think it’s one of the most important aspects. I always remember my special teams coach, on Sundays we would watch film and do the recap of the game, it’s usually the team that won the field position battle and the hidden yardage and stuff like that is usually the team that ends up coming out on top.

Simpson: What is the most memorable moment of your college career?

Bofshever: I would say without a doubt winning the conference championship my junior year. That was pretty sweet.

Path To The Draft

Simpson: With everything going on right now, I know that pro days have been cut short for a lot of guys. Were you able to get your pro day in?

Bofshever: Yeah I was fortunate enough to get my pro day in on March 10th.

Simpson: What were your testing numbers?

Bofshever: They had me at a 4.57 in the 40, I did 225 for 14 reps and I believe I had a 4.27 in the short shuttle. I have not got my official time back yet for my L-Drill. And I had a broad jump of 9’8″.

Simpson: Have you been in contact with any teams so far?

Bofshever: The Giants invited me to a workout. 49ers called to get me into the Wagner pro day. I spoke to the Dolphins and Bucs at the All-Star games. Spoke with the Jets as well. My agent has pitched me and communicated with all 32 teams. Just excited about any opportunity that comes my way. I’m ready to work hard and be loyal to any team that gives me the chance!

Simpson: Yeah those All-Star games are very important. They get those smaller school guys grouped together and let them showcase their abilities in front of everybody.

Bofshever: Yeah absolutely. I played in the FCS Bowl and I did respectfully well in the FCS Bowl and the scouts invited me to play in the FBS Tropical Bowl. So I was fortunate enough to play in that and I was a top performer of the week in the Tropical Bowl. So I think that helped and I received a lot of interest from teams there and I also played in the College Gridiron Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas.

Life-Changing Experience

Simpson: What is the biggest adversity you have faced while at Long Island?

Bofshever: Without a doubt, my roommate and best friend being murdered this year is without a doubt the toughest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life. He was also my quarterback too. Clay Beathard. His brother C.J. plays for the 49ers.

Simpson: Man, I did not realize that he played for LIU. I honestly did not know that.

Bofshever: That was tough. I have that chip on my shoulder and he’s with me every step of the way throughout this process.

Chasing A Dream

Simpson: We’re getting very close to the draft now. Is there a team that you would love to go to? Maybe a favorite team growing up or a team you see yourself fitting in with?

Bofshever: I’ve always been a die-hard Patriots fan. I’ve always taken pride in that mentality, that blue-collar mentality. I don’t have any team in particular. y team that wants a kid that has that blue-collar, and comes into work every single day. I like hitting, I like the physicality. I know it’s cliché to say but I take pride in doing your job, do your responsibility. A team that wants a football player. I take pride in just being a football player so any team that wants a football player and will take me on their team, I would love to play for. So no team in particular.

Simpson: Growing up, I’m sure this had to be a dream for you. When did you realize that you had an actual shot of making it to the NFL?

Bofshever: Its always been a dream of mine. I’ve always believed that I definitely can do it. You always have doubters and critics your whole life no matter what you do. I don’t really worry too much about that. I’ve also been very big on living in the moment so I’ve always kind of been enjoying the ride, enjoying the process. Playing football in high school and in college, I try not to look too far ahead. Nothing is ever guaranteed in life.

Towards the beginning or middle of my senior year, I started getting interest from teams and believing that this is really a possibility. But I’ve also wanted to try to stay focused on my season and take it one step at a time. Performing well at my all-star games and my pro day. Or else I wouldn’t be where I am today if I started looking too far ahead or had any slip-ups.

Simpson: What do you consider your biggest strength and your biggest weakness on the football field?

Bofshever: I would definitely say my biggest strength is being that reliable, dependable, consistent guy. You know what you’re going to get out of me every week and every day of practice. There are no slopes with me. You know what you’re going to get from me and I bring it every single day. Weakness — I would say all aspects of my game are nowhere near perfection. I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t have any weaknesses. I have to work on every single aspect of my game. If I had to single out one thing, I would say I sometimes get ahead of myself when doing install and playbook. I try getting too far ahead instead of staying in the daily installments.

Simpson: Lastly, is there anything else you would like to throw in about yourself?

Bofshever: I want everyone to know that everytime I step on the field, my whole career, everything is dedicated to Clay Beathard.

You can find me on Twitter @Alex2TheSimpson for more sports related content.

You can also find Jake on Twitter @Jake_Bofshever to keep up with his journey at the next level.

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