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Not Your Normal Athlete
11/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2009
Tulsa, Okla. -
Written by Nathan Brooks, Athletic Media Relations Assistant
Featured in the Tulsa vs. Houston football game program
Jake Collums sees himself as a pretty average person.
"I'm fairly normal," Collums said. "I had a really blessed childhood, and I really haven't had too much trouble. We have retreats with the football team and you hear about a lot of people's hard times growing up and their trials and tribulations. I feel kind of guilty because everything has been so nice for me."
Collums may have the clarity to understand that he has been blessed with many of life's gifts, but he is anything but normal.
When Collums came to Tulsa in 2005, he probably imagined himself playing a similar role to All-America tight end Garrett Mills.
Mills (2002-05) finished his career with 201 receptions for 2,389 yards and 23 touchdowns, and sits in sixth place on the school's all-time receiving charts. He also set an NCAA record for most receiving yards by a tight end with 1,235 yards during the 2005 campaign.
Collums' role in Head Coach Todd Graham's no-huddle, spread offense is much different.
In 50 career games, Collums has just 14 receptions for 175 yards. However, out of those 14 catches, nine have been for touchdowns.
It would be easy to understand if Collums wanted a bigger role, but that doesn't concern him. He relishes his responsibility as a blocking tight end in a record-setting offense that led the nation in total offense in 2007 and '08.
"I really enjoy my role," Collums said. "I come in and get to block and contribute. This is my fourth year starting, and I'm just glad to be a part of something that has been so successful.
"You can't complain about not getting thrown to a lot when you have guys on your side of the ball like Trae Johnson, Damaris Johnson, Brennan Marion and Charles Clay. I would rather have the ball in their hands instead of mine. I mean, look at their careers and the success that they have had. Obviously, the coaches are making good decisions by getting the ball into their hands."
Collums also sets himself apart from most other college athletes in the fact that he recently got married to his longtime girlfriend Emily.
"We just got married after graduation earlier this year on May 15, 2009," Collums said. "We met in the cafeteria a week after we got here when we were freshmen. [Former TU football player] Chris Chamberlain went to high school with her older brothers, and knew her so he was able to introduce us. We basically just hit it off from there, and married four years later."
While life certainly changes when married, Collums humbly plays down any differences or difficulties of married life.
"There really isn't much change," Collums said. "The only difference is living together. When I get home from practice she is there, and that's nice. She can figure out when I've had a hard day and she's always very supportive and consoling. Then when I've had a good day, she's there as my biggest cheerleader.
"We haven't had any big circumstances take place yet that I have really had to rely on her, but knowing that she is there is really comforting. I'm married to an amazing woman."
Jake will rely upon Emily's comfort over the next several years as he prepares for a career as a doctor.
"I've always been really inclined to the sciences like biology since I was young," Collums said. "My first few years in college I didn't exactly know what I wanted to do, but I stayed with [my interests]. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise sports science this past May, and I decided on biology for my master's because it gives me the prerequisites for medical school."
He isn't quite sure of what type of medicine he wants to practice, but he knows that he would like to stay around sports.
"I have talked to Dr. Mauerman and Dr. Boone, our team surgeons," Collums said. "I'm trying to set up some observation hours over at EOOC (Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center). Emily's uncle is a pretty successful orthopedic surgeon at Hillcrest Hospital and he has a group over there that I can hopefully get some observation hours in as well."
While Collums never became the next Garrett Mills, his time at The University of Tulsa has permanently shaped his life.
"I have been so blessed and fortunate to be a part of this football team and come to this university," Collums said. "I was able to get a scholarship, an education and meet people that changed my life forever."
