A Football Guy: Wide Receiver Jake Pieper

Vernon Hills wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id="65731" first="Jake" last="Pieper"] is a football guy through and through. He grew up watching film with his father, who just so happens to be a Hall of Fame high school coach. When you flip the film on, his football IQ is clearly evident. Pieper understands coverages and where exactly to sit in them. He knows how to effectively stem a defensive back to eat up his leverage. He’s a slasher out of the slot, with soft hands and good ability after the catch. As a sophomore, he gashed defenses game after game, on his way to being name 1st Team All-Conference.<img class="alignright" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eece0ybXYAQC1sM?format=jpg&amp;name=large" alt="Image" width="364" height="486" /> Pieper has a unique skill set for a prospect who’s only entering his junior season. However, he’s been training all off-season to take his game to the next level, "I have been working with TC Boost all offseason to get faster and stronger. I am already 15 pounds bigger than I was as a sophomore." said Pieper. That weight gain may seem small to some, but it is colossal to not only his game but also his recruitment. Jake may not be the tallest guy, nor the strongest one out there, but he lets the film do the talking. Last fall, he played at 5’8, 155 pounds, and on film, he was consistently the smallest guy out there. However, Pieper plays much bigger on tape. He’s fearless as a route runner and will go across the middle whenever he’s asked to. His recruiting is in the early stages, and he has garnered some interest already, "A lot of D2 and D3 schools and my coach said that North Dakota State called the other day to talk about me. My sister plays softball at the University of St. Thomas, and they have been following me." Pieper said. With another year of varsity experience under his belt and consistent production yet again, I expect more schools to come into the fold. Pieper reminds me of Batavia wide receiver &amp; Northern Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id="20255" first="Trey" last="Urwiler"]. Both are smaller but shiftier slot receivers with big play ability. Pieper isn’t too worried about recruiting; he just wants to play, "Not being with my coaches and teammates on the field. It has been hard watching all the other states around us playing, and we must sit at home. I hope for the seniors that we have our season this spring." said Pieper. Whenever football starts back up, Vernon Hills will most certainly be ready. Along with Pieper, The cougar’s return Ball State commits [player_tooltip player_id="20323" first="Jackson" last="Wiegold"] and [player_tooltip player_id="20273" first="Justin" last="Morris"]. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="65562" first="Ryan" last="Mann"] also returns from injury and will be a crucial part of the Wolves 2021 run. Keep an eye on junior tight end [player_tooltip player_id="20896" first="Erik" last="Rimas"] as well. The Cougars have the talent and could make some serious noise in Class 5A. One thing is for sure, [player_tooltip player_id="65731" first="Jake" last="Pieper"] will be ready, "I can’t wait. I love football and can’t wait to be with my teammates to start practicing. By the end of the season last year, I didn’t leave the field much. I played both ways, returned kicks, and held for extra points. I hope I don’t leave the field at all this year."