Jacob Christopher Julien (born November 10, 1998) is a Canadian professional football punter for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Eastern Michigan and has also been a member of the New England Patriots and Ottawa Redblacks.
| No. 9 Edmonton Elks | |
 Julien with the Edmonton Elks in 2023 | |
| Born: | November 10, 1998 Barrie, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Punter |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 217 lb (98 kg) |
| College | Eastern Michigan |
| High school | Barrie North Collegiate (ON) |
| CFL draft | 2021, round: 4, pick: 31 |
| Drafted by | Ottawa Redblacks |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2022* | New England Patriots |
| 2023* | Ottawa Redblacks |
| 2023–present | Edmonton Elks |
| Career stats | |
Early life
editJulien was born on November 10, 1998, in Barrie, Ontario.[1] He attended Barrie North Collegiate Institute and was a soccer and rugby player until Grade 11.[2][3] He had noticed some of the football players attempting to make 50-yard field goals in practice and tried it out himself.[3] He was able to successfully convert them and the football coach suggested he play for the team.[3] Julien played two years for the football team and helped them win a conference championship while playing placekicker and punter, earning offensive most valuable player honors as a senior.[4] He attended Kohl's kicking camps and was given a five-star rating as a punter.[4] He also earned most valuable player honors in soccer and rugby.[4]
College career
editDuring his final year of high school, Julien intended on accepting an offer to play U Sports football for the York Lions.[3] He then got an offer to play as a walk-on for the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the NCAA's Division I FBS, which he accepted.[3] He saw immediate playing time as a true freshman in 2017, appearing in nine games while punting 33 times for 1,407 yards.[4] The following year, he was named second-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) after punting 71 times for 3,078 yards.[4] He was a nominee for the Ray Guy Award for best punter nationally and additionally was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week five times, the all-time single-season record for the Eagles.[5]
In 2019, Julien again earned second-team All-MAC honors.[5] He earned second-team All-MAC honors for a third time in 2020 while also being a nominee for the Ray Guy Award, leading the conference and placing eighth nationally with a 44.25 punt average.[6] Julien was selected in the fourth round (31st overall) of the 2021 CFL Draft by the Ottawa Redblacks, but chose to return for a final year of college football due to the NCAA giving all players an extra season of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][7] In his final season, he punted 51 times for 2,343 yards, averaging 45.9 yards per punt.[8][9] Julien finished his stint at Eastern Michigan with a career average of 43.4 yards per punt in 54 games, tied for the highest all-time, additionally ranking eighth in school history for total punting yards (7,383).[9][10]
Professional career
editAfter going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Julien was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent.[11] He competed with Jake Bailey for the punting job but was ultimately released on August 16.[12][13] While a free agent, he tried out with the New York Jets in September and later with the Patriots in October.[14][15]
Julien was signed by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), who had drafted him in 2021, on May 11, 2023.[16] He was released at the final roster cutdowns on June 3.[17] After being released by Ottawa, he was signed by the Edmonton Elks to be their starting punter.[18][19]
References
edit- ^ "Jake Julien". Canadian Football League.
- ^ Gibson, Shawn (July 4, 2021). "Drafted into the CFL, Barrie's Jake Julien plans to kick until his 'leg falls off'". Collingwood Today.
- ^ a b c d e Pereira, Gene (October 28, 2020). "Barrie's Jake Julien ready to soar again with NCAA's Eastern Michigan Eagles". Barrie Today.
- ^ a b c d e "Jake Julien". Eastern Michigan Eagles.
- ^ a b c McQueary, Blake (October 5, 2021). "Jake Julien shares accomplishments as a football player for Eastern Michigan University". The Eastern Echo.
- ^ Jimenez, James H. (May 5, 2021). "Three former MAC players selected in 2021 Canadian Football League Draft". HustleBelt.com.
- ^ Spiegel, Jackie (May 4, 2021). "CFL Draft picks 2021: Complete results, list of selections for Rounds 1-6". The Sporting News.
- ^ Buchmasser, Bernd (June 8, 2022). "Patriots 2022 roster breakdown: Jake Julien is challenging the established order at punter". PatsPulpit.com.
- ^ a b "Monday's NFL: Patriots sign undrafted punter Jake Julien of Eastern Michigan". The Detroit News. Associated Press. May 9, 2022.
- ^ Ralph, Dan (April 5, 2022). "Canadian punter Julien feels time at Eastern Michigan has prepared him for the NFL". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press.
- ^ "EMU Punter Jake Julien Signs with New England Patriots". Eastern Michigan Eagles. April 30, 2022.
- ^ Hurwitz, Ethan (August 9, 2022). "Despite New Contract, Can Patriots Veteran Lose Punting Job To Rookie?". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ "New England Patriots release Canadian punter Jake Julien". 3DownNation.com. August 16, 2022.
- ^ B, John (September 13, 2022). "Jets Sign Ty Long to Practice Squad After Working Four Punters Out". GangGreenNation.com.
- ^ Buchmasser, Bernd (October 27, 2022). "Old friend Jake Julien among 4 free agent punters reportedly set to visit Patriots". PatsPulpit.com.
- ^ "Ottawa Redblacks sign five players, including 2021 CFL Draft pick punter Jake Julien". 3DownNation.com. May 11, 2023.
- ^ "Redblacks release 21 as part of final roster cuts, including Canadian punter Jake Julien". 3DownNation.com. June 3, 2023.
- ^ "Elks sign Canadian punter Jake Julien, release American DL Christian Rector". 3DownNation.com. June 3, 2023.
- ^ Campbell, Dave (June 9, 2023). "Edmonton Elks' young secondary will be tested early and often in home-opener". Global News.
External links
edit- Edmonton Elks bio
Media related to Jake Julien at Wikimedia Commons