Jacob Small
 |
 | |
| No. 21 – Tijuana Luchadores | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Kicker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | January 21, 2014 (aged 49) Whatuwhiwhi, New Zealand |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight: | 181 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Manurewa High School |
| College: | The University of Auckland |
| ISFL Draft: | 2037 / Round: 10 / Pick: 2 |
| DSFL Draft: | 2036 / Round: 14 / Pick: 4 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Jacob Small (born January 21, 1998) is an American football kicker for the Tijuana Luchadores of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL).
Contents
Early years
Jacob Small was born Jacob Liam Small in the beach town of Whatuwhiwhi, New Zealand, to Sarah Small and Keith Taumata. His father was part of the indigenous Māori, and his mother a Japanese American who came to New Zealand for a study abroad program and never left. He was born January 21st, 1998, and lived on the beach until he turned 16 where they moved to Auckland where he attended Manurewa High School and joined the varsity football (soccer) team. After a fantastic junior year, he captained the team to 14 wins - 0 losses averaging 2 goals a game. But his real love was american football, a sport he was never able to play besides kicking a football online for his YouTube subscribers. He graduated with a 4.0 and honors in football and school. He has no siblings and though his parents divorced after their move to Auckland, he still keeps in touch with both his parents during holidays and free time.
College career
While the University of Auckland has a soccer team, this was more of a pass time for him do to the non-competitiveness of this college sport. He averaged 3 goals a game in 46 games in 4 seasons with the team. He gained the most notoriety from his YouTube channel and his "Kicking Challenges" where he would see how far he could kick a football through the uprights. At over 560 thousand subscribers he was invited to America to test his skills in the combine and he was drafted #116 by the Tijuana Luchadores, and he now has the opportunity to show what he can do online in front of millions. He still found time to graduate with a degree in Elementary Teaching in 4 years. Jacob Small says if he cannot succeed on the football field he will succeed in the classroom teaching future students for a better generation and a better world.
Professional career
2036 season
After graduating from the University of Auckland and gaining notoriety from his YouTube channel, Small decided to enter the DSFL draft. Never having played football in college Jacob Small was a high risk selection but many believe after growing throughout his first season ever playing this sport that he was selected far too low and was an absolute steal! The Tijuana Luchadores selected Jacob Small #116 overall/Round 14/Pick 4 and the Season was underway.
The preseason was Jacob Small's first opportunity to show what he could do in the realm of American Football, and without question... he was ready. Exceeding all expectations, Jacob Small went 6 for 7 on Extra points, and 6 for 6 on Field Goals.
With a a season full of highs and lows for everyone on the Tijuana Luchadores, Jacob Small's shining moment was in a Week 8 game against the Minnesota Grey Ducks where he was Awarded the (Pelota de Juego) or Game Ball, making him the Week 8 Offensive Player of the Game. [See Awards] Jacob Small punted 8 times for 362 yards with a 45.2 avg, he was also perfect on the game going 2 for 2 on extra points, 2 for 2 on Field Goals and the clinching "Player of the Game" moment the 39 yard field goal with just over 20 seconds left giving the Luchadores the lead and ultimately the victory. That game sealed the only 2-0 back-to-back "series" wins for the Luchadores all season. The next game started a 4 game losing streak causing the Luchadores to end the season out of Playoff Contention at 6-8.
On the season, Small went 33 for 36 on Extra Points, 17 for 21 on Field Goals with a long of 52, and had 10 punts within the 20 with a long of 61 yards. For someone with no experience in American Football besides owning a ball, no one could have expected the great performance from this rookie keeping him in contention with the top of the rookie class.
2037 season
The Expansion Sarasota Sailfish selected Jacob Small #110 overall/Round 10/Pick 2 but is currently playing for the Tijuana Luchadores in the DSFL for more growth.
| Ht | Wt | 40‑yd dash | 20‑ss | 3‑cone | Vert jump | Broad | BP | Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
181 lb (82 kg) |
6.01 s | 5.56 s | 8.38 s | 18.3 in (0.46 m) |
4 ft 7.56 in (1.41 m) |
0 reps | 30 |
Professional career statistics (Regular Season)
| Career statistics | Extra Points | Field Goals | Punts | Points | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Made | Attempted | PCT | Made | Attempted | PCT | Long | Punts | Yards | Inside 20 | Long | Points | ||||
| 2036 (S21)- | TIJ | 14 | 33 | 36 | 91.7 | 17 | 21 | 81 | 52 | 90 | 3776 | 10 | 61 | 84 | ||||
| Total | 14 | 33 | 36 | 91.7 | 17 | 21 | 81 | 52 | 90 | 3776 | 10 | 61 | 84 | |||||
- DSFL Season
Achievements and records
- Tijuana Luchadores "Pelota de Juego" (Offensive Player of the Game) - Season 21, Week 8
- Nominee for Kicker of the Year (DSFL) - Season 21
- Nominee for Punter of the Year (DSFL) - Season 21
- Pro Bowl (DSFL) - Season 21
""
