Engagement Insider:
One of our most accomplished NFL Prep 100 Series coaches, Jeff Blake truly has the experience behind center to mentor future generations of quarterbacks. Having played in the league for over fourteen years, Jeff has seen it all. Starter, back-up, Pro-Bowler… Blake has an impressive resume in a league where nothing is ever guaranteed and he brings that knowledge and experience to every NFL Prep 100 Series event.
Jeff works with other quarterback coaches such as Rich Bartel to guide young play callers through increasingly more complicated coverage packages seen at the high school level. The game has changed a lot since Blake played at Seminole High School in Florida, but the same principles that have made Jeff great both on the field and in life are at the Prep 100 student-athlete’s disposal. Here are a few questions we asked Jeff in order to give the Prep audience a better understanding of what has made him the person he is today.
PE) Give us a little bit of your history... Where did you grow up? What did you do as a kid? What were your aspirations other than being a professional football player?
JB) I grew up in Sanford, Florida, about a half hour from Orlando in central Florida. As a kid we would play outside A LOT!!! We would go fishing, play any kind of ball game we could get our hands on. There was no age limit so we competed at an early age with kids as old as high schoolers and as young as fifth graders. You got it just like everyone else and you learned quickly.
PE) What college did you attend and why? What did you study?
JB) I attended East Carolina University, where I earned a Construction Management Degree
PE) What have you been doing as a new career after your NFL experience?
JB) I started a company named Triforce Solutions, which is a procurement and general contracting service. I also work as an athletic trainer for athletes looking to better themselves.
PE) What is your proudest non-football related accomplishment?
JB) My proudest moment is seeing my kids fulfill their dreams. I was lucky enough to give them opportunity and they have made the best of it!
PE) What has been the most rewarding aspect of working with the NFL Player Engagement Department and the PREP 100 Series?
JB) Having the opportunity to impact the young men on and off the field. We help them realize their goals and give the right directions in order to achieve them. Making sure they keep God first in all they do!