Signal Caller

BRADEN RIVER — Jacob Huesman is a perpetual student of the game, but on the sidelines is where he's perhaps learned the most.  

It’s there, standing shoulder to shoulder with his teammates, where the Braden River High signal caller learned the importance of sacrificing oneself for the betterment of the team. 

It’s where he learned the value of patience. 

And it’s where the once backup quarterback developed into the leader his coaches and teammates needed him to be. 

Huesman, who is in his second season as a starter, spent his sophomore season practicing with the scout team after being named the Pirates backup quarterback. 

“I learned a lot — not just about the position but about myself and the way that I play,” Huesman says. “When you’re standing on the sidelines, it humbles you."

Huesman says the scout team experience not only helped him learn how to be a team player, it also allowed him to get playing experience without playing in high-pressure situations. 

“When you’re second string (coming on late in the game), there’s nothing on the line," he says. "They’re not looking for you to be a superstar. You learn to be a team player.” 

After spending his sophomore season as Braden River’s backup quarterback, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound Huesman was named the Pirates starting quarterback last summer. 

Surrounded by talent on both sides of the ball, Huesman fully believed the Pirates were capable of having a breakout season, but even he couldn’t have predicted just how much success Braden River would have on the field. 

After coming from behind late in the fourth quarter against North Fort Myers in the first game, Huesman helped lead the Pirates to a perfect regular season and the program’s first district title. 

“We saw big changes,” Huesman says. “It was definitely a turnaround from that first year (when Braden River went 1-9). When we played a great team in North Fort Myers and came back to beat them 35-32, I knew we could really be something.” 

“The team depends on you to be a leader,and you have togo out and put everything on your back and win the game for the team.” – Jacob Huesman

During the Pirates historic run, Huesman, who threw for 1,946 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, began drawing the attention of college coaches in just his first season starting under center and only his second season playing the position full time. 

Huesman always aspired to be a quarterback but a growth spurt when he was younger kept him near the top of the East Manatee Bulldogs’ weight limit, forcing him to play on the offensive and defensive lines. 

It wasn’t until his sophomore season that Huesman moved to quarterback again. 

“I like having the ball in my hands and knowing the game is on you,” Huesman says. “The team depends on you to be a leader, and you have to go out and put everything on your back and win the game for the team.”

In July, Huesman verbally committed to Florida International University, where he will join Braden River teammate JoJo Louis, who also committed to the Panthers. 

Now with his senior season officially set to kick off Aug. 21, when Braden River travels to River Ridge for its kickoff classic, Huesman is looking to lead a team that averaged nearly 36 points a game back to the playoffs. 

“At the end of the day, I just want to have a great season with all of these guys and finish off with a bang.” 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]. 

IN HIS OWN WORDS 

Who is your favorite player?

Aaron Rodgers. He sat behind Brett Favre for the first (three) years of his career, and then he was able to come in and he’s had a great career. He’s a great quarterback who had a lot to learn. 

If you weren’t a quarterback, which position would you want to play?

Wide receiver. The ball is still in your hands. When you get it, you can make a play for the team. 

Who is the one player on this team that maybe doesn’t get all of the notoriety, but is instrumental to the team’s success?

Tyrone Collins. He was a freshman last season, but toward the end of the season he rode along with the varsity team and played special teams. He’s got a lot of speed and he made some plays that were key and that counted. Our coach is a big (proponent) of special teams. Special teams counts for points. 

What was the toughest part about transitioning to quarterback? 

Early on, the pressure got to me. I had to learn to keep my head on straight, otherwise I could ruin the team’s flow. I had to learn to deal with difficult game situations. You’re dealt a hand and there’s a lot of pressure, but you just have to play the cards that you’re given.

Do you have any pregame rituals?

I go into the weight room and listen to music and sleep. That’s what a lot of us do. 

What’s your favorite pregame meal? 

It would have to have been during the spring game. We had Hawaiian rolls, salad, grilled chicken that was really good and macaroni and cheese.