Receiving an NFL Combine invite has been a long time coming for former Illini linebacker Jake Hansen. For four straight years, Hansen was the heart of Illinois' defense, standing at the front of the line through all of his team's highs and lows.
But Hansen's journey to Indianapolis this past weekend has been far from conventional. From injuries to coaching changes, Hansen has been handed his fair share of adversity in the last several years. Most recently, Hansen suffered a season-ending injury after returning as a super-senior in 2021.
Following a successful surgery in the fall, Hansen declared for the NFL Draft, in hopes to keep pursuing his dream of playing professionally. While he knew he deserved to be at the combine, earning that invite in the winter solidified that NFL scouts, coaches and media also recognized his potential.
"It's been something I've been looking forward to for a really long time and praying that I would be here and a lot of hard work," Hansen said. "I'm blessed to be in this situation. Very, very excited to see what the future holds."
While Hansen didn't participate in the on-field drills at the combine due to his injury, he was able to do the bench press and completed 21 reps. Hansen measured out at 6-foot-1, 238 lbs. with a 32 3/8 inch arm length.
Hansen's main focus at the combine was highlighting his intangibles during interviews with NFL teams. As a three-time captain at Illinois, Hansen's leadership skills and football knowledge set him apart, along with his lengthy experience at the college level.
"It's (my) experience it's (my) instincts, ability to make quick decisions on the field and be decisive," Hansen said. "Because I think that's a lot of what football is, at times, just get everyone in the right call and on the same page, and to line guys up. I think that's what separates me and being a communicator and a leader on the field."
"Just really show my football intelligence level, my football IQ and show them how well I am on the board and I can be that guy that wears the green dot for them and be a role player early on in their organization."
This process with the NFL isn't entirely new for Hansen, who previously declared for the 2021 NFL Draft after finishing up his senior season in 2020.
But after extensive conversations with his family and coach Bret Bielema — who Hansen hadn't met yet — he decided to return for his super senior season. While the midseason injury derailed some of the plans Hansen had formed, he is still thankful he returned to be coached by Bielema.
"It gave me opportunity to learn a different a new defense, learn a bunch of different football terminology, football awareness and situational stuff," Hansen said. "And I really was able to take my game, IQ wise, to a whole other level. And then obviously, with Coach Tank Wright and their staff, I was able to develop athletically as well. So all those things are what ultimately led me here this week."
Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Hansen went back home to Florida, where he has been rehabbing with Bommarito Performance. Hansen said the rehabilitation phase is nearing the end and is starting to turn back into football training.
Hansen knows he'll be ready to play for any NFL team when the time comes.
"I feel really good. I'm really happy with where I'm at," Hansen said. "And I'm excited to be able to show that in a training camp hopefully soon and maybe even minicamp just depends on how we progress and things like that."
