NFL Draft Profile: Jake Bobo, Wide Receiver, UCLA Bruins
Jake Bobo
UCLA Bruins
#19
Pos: WR
Ht: 6040
Wt: 206
Hand: 1000
Arm: 3228
Wing: 7828
40: 4.55
DOB: 8/4/1998
Hometown: Belmont, MA
High School: Belmont Hill
Eligibility: 2023
One Liner:
Jake Bobo has great size and fluidity as an athlete, which allows him to be versatile and can be deployed as an offensive weapon anywhere on the field.
Evaluation:
Jake Bobo may not be the best route runner in this draft, but his combination of size (6’5”, 215) and footwork make him a challenging matchup for any defensive back. His best skill is his footwork; he loves using a wide jab into middle-breaking routes to make strikingly sharp cuts and beat defenders in soft coverage. Bobo’s release off the line is solid enough to where it gives him good momentum getting into the top of his route. Bobo has surefire hands and a large catch radius to make easy catches out of inaccurate throws. These strengths allow him to play in any formation and be a lethal chess piece to any offense. Playing in the slot creates mismatches with his size, going against smaller corners that are not used to playing bigger receivers. Bobo is also a solid run blocker, and he can use his size and physicality to be an asset in the run game.
For someone as gifted as he is with size and coordination, it is a bit surprising that Bobo does not make as many contested catches downfield or big plays. He plays as more of a possession receiver who is pretty limited as a runner after the catch. Bobo is not the best athlete; he is quick and nimble in the feet but does not have great top speed to separate on his routes or after the catch. This limits him as an all-around receiver as he struggles to take the top off of defenses, despite his physical advantages. Bobo may draw NFL attention due to his coordination as an athlete with his size, but he must work on becoming a more complete receiver to stick at the next level.
Grade:
UDFA
Quotes:
“There are guys that are tall, but they don’t play big and utilize their catch radius. I think Jake Bobo, he’s got the tremendous length, but more important than that, he’s a physical player, he’s tough.” - UCLA Tight Ends coach Jeff Fairs
Background:
Jake Bobo’s 2022 season was his fifth in CFB and first with UCLA, and it was by far his best year with 817 yards and 7 touchdowns, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Before this year, he was at Duke for four seasons, breaking out onto the scene in 2021 with 74 receptions and 794 yards. Bobo was a three-star recruit out of Belmont Hill School and a consensus top-6 prospect out of Massachusetts. He was a three-time first-team All-Independent School League selection in high school for football; he also played varsity basketball and track and field.
