Jarrett Lake promises to become Fan Favorite

Razorback Linebacker Jarrett Lake is being called out by the Razorback coaches as an unknown Hog that will become a fan favorite very soon.

During the Razorback football media day press conference, head football coach Bret Bielema pointed to Jarrett Lake as one player he wishes he could bottle up and share with every member of the team. He called his positive attitude and work ethic infectious. Jarrett Lake appears to be a person Bielema believes embodies his “1-0” philosophy – taking one task at a time, one day at time.

We asked Lake’s defensive coordinator, Chris Ash, to name one player on defense fans may not know much or talk much about now, but who will likely become a favorite before the end of the season. He said Jarrett Lake would be at the top of that list. He praised Lake’s work ethic and growth at his position and said that he brings a joyful attitude to practice every single day.

Jim Harris took a few minutes to visit with Jarrett Lake and below is his sit down with the senior linebacker. He talks about his trials growing up, his past performances for the Razorbacks, where he is right now and what he expects this season.

Jarrett Lake Bio:

CAREER SUMMARY: Lake has appeared in 27 games and made 27 tackles, including 0.5 for loss.

2012: Jarrett Lake appeared in nine games and finished the season with 11 tackles, including 0.5 for loss. He tied his career high with four tackles, with 0.5 for loss, at No. 12 South Carolina. He recorded three tackles in the 49-7 win vs. Kentucky and registered two tackles each in a 19-15 victory vs. Tulsa and at Mississippi State. He also saw playing time vs. Jacksonville State, vs. ULM, vs. No. 1 Alabama, at Texas A&M and at Auburn.

2011: He played in 11 games, missing only the 38-28 win vs. Troy and the 29-16 AT&T Cotton Bowl defeat of No. 11 Kansas State. He recorded 12 tackles and was tied for fourth on the team with six tackles on special teams. He made a career-high four tackles in the 52-3 win vs. New Mexico. The previous week, he recorded a then-career-high three tackles in the season-opening 51-7 victory vs. Missouri State. He made one tackle in the come-from-behind 42-38 win vs. No. 14 Texas A&M. He registered two tackles the next week in a 38-14 victory vs. No. 15 Auburn. He also made one tackle in the 44-28 win vs. No. 10 South Carolina and in the 49-7 win vs. Tennessee.

2010: He appeared in seven games for the Razorbacks and finished the season with four tackles. Lake made two tackles in his collegiate debut, Arkansas’ season-opening 44-3 win vs. Tennessee Tech. He recorded one tackle in the Razorbacks’ 31-7 win vs. ULM and in their 58-21 victory vs. UTEP. He also saw action at Georgia, vs. No. 1 Alabama, vs. Texas A&M and vs. Vanderbilt.

HIGH SCHOOL: Jarrett Lake is a versatile athlete who played wide receiver and also lined up at running back in high school. He was also recruited by many schools at linebacker. Lake attended Hargrave Military Academy before playing in nine games for national powerhouse Jenks in 2008. He was rated as the No. 23 prospect in the state of Oklahoma by Rivals.com. As a junior under coach Allan Trimble, Lake caught 21 passes for 483 yards and five touchdowns while helping the Trojans go 12-2 and reach the Class 6A state championship game. He had a season-high 126 yards on five receptions and scored two touchdowns against Sapulpa. Lake selected Arkansas over Oklahoma, Kansas State, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, TCU, UNLV and Wyoming.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 31, 1991 in Stamford, Conn., his mother is Tonya Lake and his guardian is Claire Williams. He is enrolled in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.