Senior tight end Jake Allison is one of the leaders for the Mount St. Mary Rockets, but his impact on the program stretches well beyond catches and blocks on Friday nights. For Allison, the foundation of the Rockets’ success starts with how close the players are to one another, on and off the field.
“The thing I love most about my team is how connected everyone is. Every person on our team knows each other and hangs around each other, even outside of football. That gives us the ability to push each other to play at an even higher level than we thought we could.”
Allison’s approach to the game has been shaped in large part by his older brother, John, who set the standard he now tries to follow. “The person who inspires me the most is my older brother, John Allison. As a younger brother, everything he does seems perfect – the way he runs routes, his knowledge of the game, and the way he treats people off the field. He has always been the reason I’ve worked to be the best player and person I can be.”
On the field, Allison lines up primarily at tight end, a role that allows him to be a key piece in both the passing game and the ground attack. “The main position I play is tight end. The thing I enjoy most about it is the versatility. If my team needs me to block a defensive end, I get to. If they need me to run a route, I’m able to do that too.”
Away from football, Allison raises and shows cattle, an experience he said has prepared him for the ups and downs of a long season. “Showing heifers and playing football may seem like two different worlds, but they’ve taught me many of the same life lessons. Not every show or game ends the way you hope, but I’ve learned to handle setbacks, learn from them, and come back stronger. Most importantly, both experiences have helped build my confidence and work ethic while teaching me to respect my teammates and competitors. Caring for cattle requires discipline, consistency, and hard work every single day – just like preparing for football.”
As he heads into his senior year, Allison is focused on making the most of his final season with the Rockets while keeping his future options open. “I haven’t decided exactly what I want to do after I graduate. My options are to play college football or attend OU and earn a degree in finance or law.” He said the best advice he received was to embrace the moment and pour everything into his last year.
“The best advice I received last year was to have no regrets going into my senior year. That advice has helped me get out of my comfort zone. It has allowed me to put everything else aside and do everything I can to make my team and myself better.”
