Perspective, Passion, and Peace of Mind

When the announcement comes, the 2010 Collegiate graduate will be watching from the West End home of his parents Carol and Matt, his biggest fans. Cheering will ensue, no doubt. Congratulatory calls and texts will quickly besiege his cell phone. His life will change forever. Right now, though, as the NFL’s 81^st annual rite of spring approaches, McGee is reflecting on his past, savoring the present, and endeavoring not to get too far ahead of himself.

 

“It’s a strange feeling,” he said. “You’re waiting. You’re anxious for something you’ve worked for forever. You can’t wait to see what happens, but you don’t want to rush the process.”

 

McGee was one of Collegiate’s athletes par excellence from 2007 through 2009. He led the Cougars to back-to-back VISAA football titles his last two years and earned multiple All-Prep League, All-State, and All-Metro honors. As a senior, he completed 212-of-348 passes for 3007 yards and 34 touchdowns and rushed for 576 yards and 11 TD’s as a quarterback. As a free safety, he was credited with 60 solo tackles.

 

He made All-Prep, All-State, and All-Metro in basketball and is the leading scorer (1,656 points) in the history of the program. He received the Outstanding Senior Athlete Award in 2010.

 

University of Virginia recruited him as a tight end. During his tenure in Charlottesville he caught 71 passes for 769 yards and seven touchdowns. With his B.S. in psychology in hand and a year of eligibility remaining, he transferred to Florida in 2014 and quickly earned a spot in the starting lineup. Then, in the Gators’ opener, he fractured his left tibia and fibula, a serious injury which required a long, challenging rehab period.

 

The NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility, he regained his starting role, earned the trust of his teammates, who elected him captain, and caught 41 passes for 381 yards and four scores. Alas, a strained right hamstring prevented him from playing in the Citrus Bowl and Senior Bowl and limited his participation in the NFL Combine, but by Florida’s Pro Day, he was full-speed and full-strength and duly impressed the throng of evaluators.

 

Now, he’s finishing the penultimate class in his sports management master’s program (which he vows to complete as soon as time allows), lifting from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., then moving outside to run agility drills and sprints and perfect his routes in anticipation of being in top-notch condition when next adventure begins.

 

Where McGee, who’s 6-6, 250, will be selected is anyone’s guess. He’s projected to be a mid- to late-round selection.

 

“I’ve met with probably every team,” he said. “I met with all the tight end coaches at the Combine. Still, you don’t know a lot. You get feedback from your advisors, but it’s waiting and seeing, hoping a good fit works out.”

 

McGee sailed through his Collegiate and UVA years relatively unscathed, but his more recent injuries could give NFL teams pause when draft day arrives.

        

One of McGee’s admirers is Richmonder Bobby Ross, a retired high school, college, and professional (San Diego, Detroit) coach who led Georgia Tech to the national championship in 1990 and the Chargers to Super Bowl XXIX.

 

“I’ve followed Jake’s career,” said Ross. “He has a good opportunity to compete in the National Football League, but he has to prove that he can stay healthy. He has a tremendous upside as a receiving tight end. The fact that he’s put on weight makes him a guy who has the potential to be a real good blocker as well.

 

“Jake reminds me of David Sloan in Detroit. David had been used as a split guy, and he had to learn the blocking that has to take place. Once he learned that, he became a Pro Bowl tight end. Jake has that type of skill.

 

“The big question is, will he be healthy? Will he be used primarily as a receiver? Will he be a combination (blocking/receiving) tight end? His ability to catch the ball, and his ability to get down the middle on a two-deep defense is very, very special. That’s what the pros look for.”

 

McGee’s age – he’s 24 –and recent experience have created a perspective that serves him well. While he’s beyond excited to play on Sundays, he’s approaching life with a stay-in-the-moment attitude that provides comfort and peace of mind.

 

“Breaking my leg opened me up to that way of thinking,” he said. “There’s so much you can’t control. I can control my workouts, the shape I’m in, being the best football player I can be. The rest is up to people I’ve met with. Hopefully, they like the person I am. There’s no reason to sweat over anything.”

 

McGee has spent much of the past two years in Gainesville, and he’s looking forward to returning to home, relaxing a bit, and reconnecting with old friends. Along the way, he plans to visit his alma mater where the journey began in earnest.

 

“Collegiate was the first step,” he said. “I owe a lot to the time I spent there. The relationships really prepared me for everything that’s come my way.”

 

So what advice would he give today’s students?

        

“Take it a day at a time,” he said. “Get after things you have a passion for. If you don’t enjoy something, don’t do it for other people. Do what you’re happy with. For the majority of people, when you do something you truly love, things will work out.”

                                    -- Weldon Bradshaw