Jake Rubley, a 6’3”, 205-pound 4-star quarterback out of Highlands Ranch High School in Littleton, Colorado started off 2020 by committing to the Wildcats. He joins Davonte Pritchard, Noah Bolticoff, and Dorian Stephens in the 2021 recruiting class, which is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory for Kansas State.
I’m happy to say I’ve committed to Kansas State University! @CoachKli @CoachMessingham @ckleincat7 #GoCats pic.twitter.com/55VfazTSti
— Jake Rubley (@jake_rubley) January 1, 2020
Skill Set
Rubley’s arm talent is elite. Saying he can make “all the throws” is a bit trite in the recruiting world, but man, this dude can make all the throws and doesn’t have to be standing in the pocket to make them. He doesn’t have to step into throws or have a clean pocket to launch the ball down the field. You can’t teach that.
On tape, he looks like a guy that can move around in the pocket to buy time but isn’t necessarily looking to run, although he looks athletic enough to grab some yards with his legs when called upon. He’s considered a “pro-style” quarterback, but he’s no statue in the pocket. In that sense, he’s similar to current Wildcat Skylar Thompson.
What This Means For Kansas State
Obviously, first and foremost, they’re getting one of the best quarterbacks in the 2021 class. Rubley is a legit 4-star prospect. His 247 sports composite of .947 is the highest player rating of the last decade, and he joins Terrell Clinkscales as the only composite 4-star player (assuming Rubley sticks with his commitment) in the last decade. This is a huge get by the Wildcat staff.
Bringing in an elite quarterback early in the 2021 class is huge for recruiting momentum. Rubley signing with K-State makes it more palatable for other 4-star guys to sign up with Klieman, Messingham, and company. Bringing him into the fold early gives him a chance to recruit other players. Players recruiting other players is an aspect of the recruiting game that’s often overlooked, but putting a guy like Rubley at the top of the 2021 Marquee and letting him spread the Wildcat gospel to all his 4-star camp buddies certainly can’t hurt.
Finally, this answers some lingering questions about the coaching staff and their ability to recruit at an elite level in Manhattan. The 2021 class is the first class where Klieman and company aren’t working from behind, and the current haul is impressive. I see the 2021 class as the first true “bedrock” class in the Klieman era. This staff is off to an impressive start.