Jake Rose, Dan and Ingrid Rose By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Any athlete with pride itches to play varsity ball early on in their prep careers. It doesn’t matter what sport. Jake Rose had to bide his time, bite his lip and swallow his pride. Rose didn’t get a full-time spot in the Lancers defense […]
Jake Rose, Dan and Ingrid Rose
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Jake Rose with Redlands Coach Mike Maynard
Any athlete with pride itches to play varsity ball early on in their prep careers.
It doesn’t matter what sport.
Jake Rose had to bide his time, bite his lip and swallow his pride.
Rose didn’t get a full-time spot in the Lancers defense until his senior season, and boy did he make the most of it.
Amongst a host of great defensive players, like Myles Cecil, Sammy Martinez, RJay Wagner, Ryan Sparks, Harrison MacDonald and others, Rose led La Salle with 111 tackles from the linebacker position.
Rose did it all with an emphasis like, “I told you I could play,” but he did it quietly, and with dignity and purpose.
Among those team-best 111 tackles, three were sacks.
Rose made a lifelong dream come true when he announced he’d be playing football next season at the University of Redlands.
Rose will join teammate Wyatt Cimino, who announced just last week that he too was going to Redlands.
He’ll also be part of a Bulldogs team that features former La Salle stars Emari McClellan and Matt Enriquez.
“I am really excited about playing football at the next level. It makes me feel comfortable about talking to Emari and Matt and how much they love it there,” Rose said. “It’s just amazing. I’ve dreamed about playing college football my entire life.”
Rose thought about a couple other schools, but Redlands was a good fit for many reasons, including it being possible for his father Dan and mother Ingrid to make the hour or so drive to see him play on Saturday’s.
“The location is great,” he said. “I can be independent and yet come back on the weekends .”As a program, they are the real deal and so is their defense.”
Lastly, Rose wanted to address his family, teammates and coaches.
“Mom and dad, I am so thankful for your supporting me throughout my life and my high school career. You were my motivation to keep going, and I hope to keep making you proud.”
To his coaches and teammates:
“I want to thank all my coaches who always believed in me and gave me a fair shot at everything, especially Coach Gordon, and Randy Katz They were so helpful in the process of helping me get to the next level. My teammates were all there for me and we became brothers, especially the 22 seniors. Winning the school’s first playoff game in 9 years and two league victories is something we’ll always share.”
Redlands will certainly raise their character level with the addition of Jake Rose.
Quotable:
La Salle coach Russell Gordon: “Jake is a young man with high character and an intense work ethic! He had a great balance with athletics and academics through his high school career. Jake was very consistent with his play. and as coach, I knew that I could count on him game in and game out. Jake called the huddle for our defense and made the linebacker checks. He was a student of the game and studied his opponents thoroughly. He was a true pleasure to coach, and such a high-character team player.”
La Salle defensive end Myles Cecil: “Jake Rose is a stud in the math classroom and a hitman on the field. He has bloomed into an all-around and complete player. Jake’s football IQ is off the charts, but his desire, no matter the pain, as a result of injury to play and make an impact is unmatched.”
Jake’s father, Dan Rose: “He was that lunch-pale guy who isn’t real vocal, and led by example. What motivated him was being asked to play JV his junior year. He worked his butt off to learn the position (linebacker). When someone tells him no, his response is ‘watch me.’ Having other La Salle players there (at Redlands) was a comfort for Jake.”
