Knoll signs with MSU-Northern
Warrior Jake Knoll signs to join the MSU-Northern football squad, flanked by Head Track Coach Ryan Landofi, Head Boys Basketball Coach Jason Maki, Head Football Coach Quinn Huisman and Track Coach Susan Carney. (Courtesy photo)
Jake Knoll didn’t start playing football as a running back, but he will certainly be doing just that at Montana State University-Northern.
Knoll, a 6’2” 234-pound wrecking ball, rushed for over 1,600 yards this fall for the Arlee football team, scoring 21 touchdowns and catching another one as the Warriors made it to the eight-man state quarterfinals.
Recently, Knoll signed with Northern to continue his football career after making it a point to get noticed by college coaches.
“Lane Schall, a Minot State player and a former Arlee player, said that a coach isn’t going to say no if you send them highlights, so that’s when I started sending highlights out,” Knoll said. “About midway through the season, Northern’s coaches visited me and a couple of other players and made an offer.”
Northern said that Knoll could be an impact defensive player and could very well start for the team at linebacker and defensive line.
Knoll’s journey to this point started when he first played in the fifth grade for Missoula Youth Football. When he came to the Arlee High School football program as a freshman, he played offensive line. During his sophomore year, he ran the ball on occasion, and the coaching staff started to see he had a knack for it.
He also loved playing defense, filling the outside linebacker position for the Warriors, and showing a tendency to make tackles for losses.
Knoll said his senior year was a special one as there were seven seniors on Arlee’s team, and it was tight-knit group of players.
“We had a blast and were lifting all summer,” Knoll said. “We came into the season with those first four wins and were ecstatic, then I think we had a real turning point in beating Charlo. We began to think we were legitimate and going places. The best memory was beating Valley Christian at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.”
Montana-Northern is in Havre, and Knoll has some family in area, so he has visited before. Knoll said he chose Northern because they were honest and straightforward with him. He said he also wants to help turn Northern into a successful football team.
“It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” Knoll said. “I’ve wanted to play college football since I was a little boy.”
Knoll will major in Secondary Physical Education and wants to become a teacher. He will begin his journey in college when he starts workouts with the team July 6.
“I just want to give a big thanks to my coaching staff and my family for supporting me with every decision I have made and having my back,” Knoll said.