101 Days of BC Football: Jake Wilhelm, #46

When it comes to kickers, Boston College fans think about several different names. First, there’s Nate Freese, going into his third season with the Eagles. Then, there’s Alex Howell, and punter and kicker who came to BC as a highly-regarded recruit from South Carolina. Finally, a few might even think of Michael Geiger, the three-star kicker who recently signed up for BC’s 2013 recruiting class. But what about Jake Wilhelm?

Wilhelm is an Ohioan from the city of Amherst, about 35 miles outside of Cleveland. He kicked previously for St. Edward High School, where in 2011, he went 11-for-13 and 41-for-42 on extra point attempts. His team, the Eagles (like the name, I must say), scored a lot of points so his services were rarely needed on the field goal front. In last year’s opening game, Wilhelm connected on the game-winner in overtime. Wilhelm has also kicked for championship teams, as St. Edward’s won the state championship in his junior year of 2010.

His recruitment period does not appear to have been a particularly notable one. There is no information publicly available that indicates that he was officially pursued, but it is a confirmed fact that Wilhelm is walking onto the team (because he did not sign a letter of intent). As to whether or not he is a “preferred walk-on,” that’s unclear.

Boston College is fine at kicker, so it seems highly unlikely that Wilhelm will appear in such a role for the duration of his time here. For those rooting for him personally, and I know you’re out there, take heart: we had a walk-on kicker intercepting passes in the spring game, so at this school, nothing is impossible. There might always be another role for him, even if he doesn’t get into games.