Bio

Jake Dearing starred at middle linebacker for the Bulldogs in four seasons. He led the team in tackles in each of his last three seasons, amassing a total of 294 tackles in 39 games. That tackle total still stands as the TLU record for the Bulldogs' non-scholarship era (1998 to present). Dearing and the Bulldogs came within a game of the American Southwest Conference title in 2004 and had a seven-game win streak that season. Dearing was a two-time ASC First Team All-Conference selection (in 2004 and 2005) and was named to the Second Team All-Conference in 2003. In addition to being the non-scholarship era leader in total tackles, he also ranks sixth in tackles for loss (25 for 95 yards), second in fumbles forced (six), and second in solo tackles (134). The Bulldogs were 7-3 and 7-2 in the ASC in 2004. It was the best football finish in the ASC for TLU until the Bulldogs finished second in the ASC in 2019. Dearing led the Bulldogs from a 2-8 season in 2003 to that 7-3 overall record in 2004. That year, Dearing was 10th in the ASC for total tackles, with 86, and he was second in the league in fumbles forced, with three. He was second in tackles per game (8.6) among all conference linebackers. In 2005, he was second overall (among all positions) in total tackles, with 90. He was third among all players in fumbles forced, again recording three that year.