Jacob Tracy, a rising Yelm High School senior offensive lineman, announced July 4 his verbal commitment to Boise State University to continue his academic and athletic career.
Tracy also collected scholarship offers from Eastern Washington University, the University of Idaho, Culver-Stockton College and Minot State University. He began his YHS football career as a tight end and wide receiver before switching to the offensive line ahead of his senior season.
Tracy visited the BSU campus for a camp in late May before receiving an offer a month later. He said that as soon as he received the offer, he knew it was the perfect fit.
“Through talking with my family and my coaches at Yelm [High School], we couldn’t really think of any downs of Boise State. I love Boise State’s coaching,” he said. “I really connected with coach [Tim] Keane, the offensive line coach. Overall, Boise State’s a wonderful place, and I think it’ll be a really good fit for me.”
Committing prior to his senior season was a dream scenario for Tracy and his family, especially as he switches positions to offensive tackle. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound lineman, who also plays defensive end at YHS, visited numerous schools and competed in many camps in the offseason to showcase his talent, and he said the exposure paid off.
“I wasn’t really on the map for offensive tackle, so with me going around all of the showcases and camps and putting my name out there, I think that was really big for me for the offensive line conversion,” Tracy said. “I wanted to commit before the season so I had the stress out of the way with recruiting so I could really focus and hone in on the season for the team.”
Boise State, which competes in the Mountain West Conference, boasts a new-look coaching staff with Spencer Danielson entering his first full season as head coach after serving in an interim role in 2023. Tracy said he was impressed with how Danielson and the Broncos coaching staff connected with him during his visit and conversations.
“He’s very hands on. He’ll show you how to do it, and I really like those coaches that want me to understand what I’m doing and why I’m doing these certain movements,” he said.
Tracy, who recently earned a three-star rating from recruiting site 247Sports, said Boise State is getting an athletic, competitive tackle who “proves a lot of people wrong.”
“They’re getting a person that isn’t going to back down. I’m the type of person that always wants the smoke any time of day,” he said. “I hope to prove that I’m not all hype this season and that I’ve earned the Boise State scholarship.”
Tracy credited the YHS coaching staff and community for welcoming him after he transferred from River Ridge High School in Lacey and helping him land the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level.
“Thank you for taking me in as a transfer. They took me under their wing and brought me in just like family,” Tracy said. “I will always have a special place in my heart for the Yelm community.”
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