NSU’s Bender looking to take next step to pros

When Jacob Bender walked onto the campus of Nicholls State in 2003, even he did not know what to expect.

While most freshmen were dealing with the shock of going to college, Bender had to deal with something more.

The 6-foot 5-inch, 300-pound Maryland native ended up miles away from home to play a game he had learned as a child: football.

While many football careers end after high school, Bender had a chance to take his game to the next level and play college football.

Coming out of Dematha Catholic High School in Maryland, Bender did not get the college attention he wanted.

After only being recruited by the University of Maryland, Hofstra University (N.Y.) and Nicholls, the decision was easy for Bender’s parents: stay close to home.

Instead, Bender decided to take the long trip south and tour Nicholls.

Being an avid hunter and fisherman, Bender fell in love with the culture of the south and opted to step up to the challenge and play football for the Colonels, despite being so far from home.

“The hunting and fishing was big for me,” Bender said. “I knew that wherever I was going to play, there had to be a lot of hunting and fishing.”

Little did Bender know that four years and many two-a-days in the hot Louisiana sun later, he would be involved in NFL draft talks and a projected fourth round selection in that same draft.

In fact, Bender and his agent are in constant contact with several NFL teams and Bender has meetings set up with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks coaching staffs.

Besides the Seahawks and Bengals, the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars also remain interested in Bender’s services.

Suddenly, his decision to play at Nicholls seemed just fine to his parents, according to Bender.

“They have been my biggest supporters through all of this,” Bender said. They are so happy things are paying off.”

However, one of the joys of the NFL Draft is the uncertainty it presents.

“I am looking forward to it,” Bender said. “I will be back home with my parents, probably nervous, just waiting for the phone to ring.”

Before that can happen, Bender developed a plan to ensure his draft stock does not fall.

Just like with any dream, this one takes time, and Bender spends everyday preparing himself for the challenge at hand.

Besides lifting weights and doing other workouts twice a day, Bender indulges in five to six meals in order to keep his playing weight and draft stock up.

Bender’s success has garnered the interest of his former teammates and coaches; including his head football coach, Jay Thomas.

“One thing about the NFL Draft is you never know what to expect,” Thomas said. “Anything can happen but there is no doubt that we’ll be watching.”

Following his playing career for the Colonels, Bender participated in the Magnolia-Gridiron All-Star Classic. The game featured the top prospects from Division I-AA playing prospects from larger Division I-A schools.

Bender said his performance in the game is what helped him prepare the best for the draft.

“I was definitely a good experience for me to be able to participate in that,” Bender said. “I think that is what helped improve my stock the most.”

The biggest draw for Bender is his “quick feet” that he possesses, according to Mike Detillier’s M&D Draft Report.

But with the pros also come the cons, and one of the biggest keys for Bender is learning how to pass block.

Since Nicholls is an option-oriented school, Bender had little experience pass blocking. He understands that he needs to pick up on that trait quick, if he expects to stay in the pass-oriented NFL.

“It is on me to step up and learn how to pass block,” Bender said. “I can run block for them all day, that’s not the problem.”

Bender still credits Nicholls for helping him get to this point.

When it’s all said and done, no matter where Bender ends up playing, he is just grateful for the opportunity he has been given.

“The whole experience has been great,” Bender said. “I never would have thought that I would be in the position I’m in now. It’s a dream come true, and I just hope I can do my part.”

If Bender is drafted, he will be the second Colonel to get drafted in the last three years, joining former Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears defensive back Chris Thompson, who was drafted in 2005.

Football vs South Dakota State Jackrabbits at John L. Guidry Stadium. NSU lost 24-17.Photo by Doug Keese/Nicholls State9/23/06

Doug Keese