Washington QB gets first offer

The Evergreen State of Washington has a long tradition for developing great high school quarterbacks. Both the University of Washington and Washington State have benefited because of the talented quarterbacks who prepped in the state. Once again there is a quarterback that is attracting D-I attention because of his quarterbacking skills.

The quarterback in question is Jake Locker (6-3, 210, 4.4) from Ferndale, Wash.

This talented all-around athlete was selected first-team all-state on both sides of the ball as a quarterback and safety. He is a two-time all-league selection at quarterback, defensive back and return specialist for his sophomore and junior years.

To give you indication of how talented and special an athlete Locker is he was an all-league defensive back selection as a freshman.

"I was head coach at Seahome high school and we had an all-league wide receiver," Ferndale coach Jamie Plenkovich said. "From the scouting report we knew they had a freshman."

"We decided to attack the freshman," Plenkovich said. "I wanted to see him cover and tackle after all, he was a freshman."

"By the end of the first quarter we stopped going at him," Plenkovich said. "That player was Jake Locker."

Now Locker is a D-I talent on both sides of the ball.

"We run the wing-T so we run it more than we throw it," Plenkovich said. "But he's a big weapon for us throwing and running."

Locker is also a weapon on the defensive side of the ball playing both safety and corner.

When Ferndale needed to lock down a receiver it was Locker who was given the assignment as a corner. Against some teams Locker was better used as a center fielder at his safety position.

The question is where will Locker end up on the D-I level, defensive back or quarterback?

"I was walking back to the coaches office with Washington State quarterback coach Timm Rosenbaugh and he asked me my opinion what position Jake would play on the collegiate level and I said I thought he would be a very good safety," Plenkovich said. "After viewing the tape, Timm said he can play quarterback."

There is no doubt that Locker has a great arm. He is also a great baseball player and the word is the throws in the low 90's already. Yes, Locker is getting looks for his skills on the diamond.

Locker has all the intangibles you love in a student-athlete.

"Not only is Jake a tremendous athlete," Plenkovich said. "But he has the work ethic that all the great ones have."

"Jake is a quality young man and is extremely coachable," Plenkovich said. "Though he's going to get a lot of attention, I don't worry about it going to his head. He just uses the attention as motivation to work at getting better."

Locker led Ferndale high school to the State Championship but lost to giant killer Bellevue, the same team that ended Concord (Calif.) De La Salle's 151 game winning streak.

Ferndale played Bellevue tough only losing by three points, 31-28.

From his quarterback position, Locker rushed for 983 yards on 111 carries and scored 15 touchdowns. Through the air, Locker completed 65 passes out of 134 attempts for 1,324 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Locker has received his first written offer from Washington State, he is also getting recruiting attention from Washington and the Huskies could be next to tender an offer. Oregon and Ivy League schools are also recruiting Locker. Look for Locker's college list to expand in the very near future.

Locker is a very intelligent young man who carries a very impressive 3.85 GPA.