Jake Paulline spent his summer getting indoctrinated in the actions, subtleties and patterns of a dominant defensive tackle.
The Metea Valley senior, a two-way tackle who was named all-area and all-conference after an abbreviated season earlier this year, learned how to refine and develop his craft at multiple college programs in the Midwest.
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“I went to camps at Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Drake, Ball State and Valparaiso,” Paulline said. “The most interesting part was seeing the technique that each college uses. None of them were the same. What I worked on was being able to put them all together and have my own style.”
With official high school practices starting Monday, the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Paulline is ready for his next act.
Reversing the Mustangs’ recent fortunes is his primary goal. Metea Valley hasn’t won more than one game in a season since 2016.
Elevating his reputation with college recruiters is another goal. Valparaiso became the first college program to offer him a scholarship. Illinois and Iowa have requested his senior game film as part of their evaluations.
The camps helped sharpen his abilities and pointed out areas in need of development.
“My emphasis has been a lot more technical and working on my speed,” Paulline said. “I’ve always had the strength. Now I have to become faster and more technical with how I do things.”
Paulline’s game is underlined by strength, power and aggression. He has recorded a personal-best bench press of 345 pounds.
As the right tackle on the offensive line, Paulline secures the blind side of the Mustangs’ left-handed quarterback, Logan Frederick, a third-year starter.
“In more than 200 pass attempts, he only gave up one sack,” Metea Valley coach John Parpet said. “In two years our running game has averaged 2 more yards per attempt on his side.
“He drove by himself to every 7v7 our program competed in and rooted on his teammates.”
Paulline prefers playing defense. During his junior season, he had 15 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
“I have always loved defense more,” Paulline said. “I like getting tackles and sacking QBs and having more fun with the force and power on that side.”
Paulline’s father, Scott, had a promising football career cut short following complications from a car crash. His older brother Cole graduated from Metea Valley in 2019 and competes in the discus and the shot put at North Central College.
“There has always been a lot of high competition with my family,” Jake Paulline said. “I think football has always been my escape for everything. I love being the guy to play my heart out and be the guy.”
Paulline has participated in three sports at Metea Valley. He went 13-4 at 285 pounds for the wrestling team during his sophomore year. He decided to focus on track and field as a thrower this past school year after the sports calendar was changed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Paulline hopes for greater clarity and focus in the school year ahead.
“The football games we played this spring almost didn’t feel like a real season,” he said. “I told my coaches it felt like the preseason. It was a really weird experience, and it changed everything you knew about football.
“I think this season is going to be a lot better.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.