There's no doubt in Jake Julien's mind his time at Eastern Michigan University has prepared him for life in the NFL.
The six-foot-two, 217-pound punter from Barrie, Ont., posted a career average of 43.4 yards, which is tied with Rich Hanschu for the best in school history. Julien is the only Eastern Michigan player to register two punts of 70-plus yards and ranks eighth in punting yards (7,383).
Over five seasons, Julien had 51 punts inside an opponent's 20-yard line, 52 fair catches and 37 punts of 50-plus yards. Julien was selected in the fourth round, No. 31 overall, in last year's CFL draft by the Ottawa Redblacks but is eligible for this year's NFL draft April 28-30.
"When I played as a freshman (in 2017), I probably shouldn't have," Julien said candidly during a telephone interview. "I was in a room where, in the exact words from my coach, I was the one who sucked the least so when I got sent out there I wasn't prepared.
"Throughout my time at Eastern Michigan, I was able to make every mistake a punter could make and I was given the opportunity to come back from every mistake. If I was at any other school, those mistakes would've got me benched but the coaches put all of their cards on me, they trusted me … the mental toughness and growth I gained there was by far and away one of the greatest aspects of my success."
Despite his assertion, Julien's rookie season was a solid one statistically. In nine games he averaged over 42 yards a punt, had nine 50-plus yard boots and put eight inside the opposition's 20-yard line although he did endure his only career block.
Last year, Julien posted career highs in average (45.9 yards), fair catches (17), punts over 50 yards (14) and longest punt (78).
Julien has had opportunity to audition for pro scouts this off-season. He participated in Eastern Michigan's pro day last month (before 26 NFL officials), has conducted two private workouts with at least three more scheduled.
The months leading up to the NFL draft are traditionally very busy for prospects, who have to juggle training with pro workouts and interviews. But Julien is embracing the seemingly endless job interview.
"It's a really exciting time," he said. "A big part for me is to keep on doing the same thing I do.
"There's a part of punting that's a lot like golf where if you try any harder it's not going to go well. You can't try harder, you just have to do what you know and rely on your training. I feel like through my training I know what I'm doing and I'm really confident in it."
Julien began playing football in Grade 11 after starting out in soccer. He didn't begin seriously considering a pro career until his junior season at Eastern Michigan.
"I had an opportunity to attend a specialist camp in Wisconsin where all of the best guys from the best schools came for a weekend to compete," Julien said. "I won one of the events and it was kind of the day that I can point to specifically that made me think, 'Oh, this is real. I actually have a chance to go do this.'"
Julien said the NFL team that gives him an opportunity — either as a draftee or undrafted free agent — will get a player who's willing to compete and work hard.
"I'm not going to waver in the face of adversity," he said. "I've been through tough times, I know how to handle failure, I know how to handle success.
"I think I'll be a mature rookie who's going to come in and compete. I think I'm self aware, I know what my game is and I'm a competitor. I'm going to grind for it."
Julien has no preference regarding the NFL team he'd like to play for although his father, Rob, grew up on the West Coast and remains a Seattle Seahawks supporter.
"At this point, anywhere, any opportunity I'm going to jump at," he said. "But any opportunity I could take with them (Seahawks) I'm sure would make him happy."
Unlike many NFL draft prospects, Julien does have an alternative should a pro career south of the border not happen. And while he's appreciative of being selected by the Redblacks, Julien is trying to keep his focus on the present task at hand.
"But it is very comforting just to know that if all else fails, I'll still have a chance to play football for money in an established league like the CFL," he said.
Be it in either the NFL or CFL, Julien said the biggest adjustment he faces is remaining accountable to himself.
"The biggest adjustment would be just being a pro," he said. "At college I have coaches, I have teammates, I've got friends, I've got my girlfriend to hold me accountable.
"During these last three months, if I don't go do something nobody knows? If I have a bad workout nobody knows. But you can't fool yourself and you can't fool results, either."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2022.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
