Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Jake Notario rewards Saluki Football for taking a chance
08/17/2015 | 12:00:00 | Football
By Tony McDaniel
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - If you watch Saluki offensive guard Jake Notario move people off the ball, it probably wouldn't surprise you to learn he was one of Michigan's top-rated offensive linemen in high school. The real surprise would be finding out how few Division I football programs sought his services.
At Monroe High School in Monroe, Mich., Notario was a major cog in the Trojans' offense. In his senior season, while playing tackle, he helped his team to a 7-3 record. That year the Detroit Free Press named Notario a First-Team All-State selection and the Associated Press named him honorable mention All-State. The future Saluki made an appearance at the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-Star Football game and tested himself against the rest of Michigan's elite.
Several Mid-American Conference schools contacted Notario, but none offered scholarships. Some schools would have allowed Notario a chance to walk on to their team. The only Division I school to offer Notario a scholarship was Southern Illinois.
Notario said a knee injury in high school was likely what kept many Division I schools at arms length, but the lack of interest served as a good motivational tool.
"I was trying to prove something because I felt cheated at first," Notario explained. "I came down here and realized I was going to have an opportunity to play."
After a redshirt year in 2012 and with his knee at full strength, Notario earned a starting spot at guard in 2013. The criminal justice major was briefly sidelined with an injury, but made six starts total and received received the MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award.
In 2014, Notario started 11 of 12 games and was a key member of a unit that has allowed the least amount of sacks in the Missouri Valley Football Conference for the last two seasons.
This season, Notario will be expected to anchor the offensive line along with his partner on the right side, senior tackle Ethan Wirth. Wirth and Notario have combined to play 37 games at SIU and must now mentor several inexperienced line mates. The other three projected starters (Garrett Clark, David Meyerhoff and Austin Olsen) have combined to play just 10 games in their college careers.
"We're just trying to show the new guys how you have to make calls on the go," Notario said. "You really play together, it's not just individual."
Individually, Notario's focus is on his technique, making sure he's taking the correct steps while blocking and keeping his hands inside of defensive players' shoulders. He intends to be a leader for the offense's front five, but does not plan to do it through inspirational speeches.
"My biggest thing is just trying to lead by example," Notario said. "I'm not the biggest vocal person. I just do everything I can right and show the other guys how its done."
