The Connection

At 5 feet 8 inches, 250 pounds, Jake Pinkston lacks the size college football coaches covet in the interior of the defensive line.

The position of defensive tackle is meant for giants, who either occupy multiple blockers or penetrate an opponent’s backfield. Pinkston, however, used his strength, quickness and desire to produce a decorated career at Robinson Secondary School.

Pinkston was a four-year starter for the Rams at defensive tackle and never missed a game. He earned first-team all-district/conference, first-team all-region, and second-team all-state honors each of his last three seasons. Already possessing a low center of gravity, Pinkston used the weight room to turn himself into a powerhouse. He can bench press 375 pounds and squat 550, making it tough for opposing lineman to move him.

Pinkston was also a two-time state champion wrestler for the Rams, reaching the heavyweight state final match each of his four years.

While Pinkston had his doubts about being able to play college football, the 2014 Robinson graduate made it happen, and will continue his career at Division III Randolph-Macon College. Pinkston recently participated in a Q and A via email with The Connection.

*Connection: What made Randolph-Macon the right fit for you?

Pinkston: After I met coach [Pedro] Aruzza, I was sold. He and his staff have been together for 10-plus years. I really connected with him not only on a football level but a personal one. Plus, I like the idea of a small college with a prestigious football program. R-MC fit that perfectly.

*Connection: What is your major?

Pinkston: I plan on majoring in business, minor in economics.

*Connection: At what age did you start playing football? Were you always a defensive tackle? When did you realize playing college football was a possibility for you?

Pinkston: I started wrestling, playing football, and baseball when I was 6 years old. I was always a big kid. I played offensive guard and defensive tackle my whole life. Honestly, I dreamt of playing college football ever since I was young. As I got older, I began to realize that my size would dismantle that dream. Football is my first love. My senior year was when I realized playing football in college was a possibility. All of my coaches believed that I could compete at the collegiate level.

*Connection: At 5 feet 8, 250 pounds, it seems like you would have a pretty low center of gravity. Has an opponent ever said anything to you about your size or how difficult it is to move you?

Pinkston: Yes, actually most of the teams I've played have said that. They tell me that I am very strong yet quick and agile. As everyone says, "the low man wins," and you can't get much lower than 5'8.”

*Connection: You were also a state-champion wrestler at Robinson. At what point did you make a decision between playing football in college and wrestling in college? Did you consider doing both?

Pinkston: I considered wrestling in college for about two months, then I realized how much raw passion you need to wrestle in college. I didn't have that passion for wrestling. When I was younger, I wrestled to make my hand techniques, agility, hip movement, tackling techniques, and mental toughness better for football. That was the main goal. I ended up excelling at both in high school, but wrestling a little more with state championships.

*Connection: The Robinson football program had three different head coaches in your four years (Mark Bendorf, Trey Taylor, Dan Meier). What was it like playing for a program with so many changes at the top?

Pinkston: It was difficult to say the least --- more frustrating than anything --- but I learned to roll with the punches. It forced me to become a leader and a student of the game. Since I was one of the last guys affiliated with the "Bendorf era," I took some of his philosophies that he taught me onto the field in the following years. Most of the freshmen and sophomores were on either [the] freshman or JV [teams], so they never really experienced his style like I did. The process was very frustrating for our teams. We had all the talent you can wish for, yet we could never really come tougher or "click" as a whole.

*Connection: What is your favorite memory of playing high school football?

Pinkston: Oct. 1, 2010, we were playing Lake Braddock, I sacked Michael Nebrich two times and all I can remember was the fans chanting "He's a freshman" over and over again.

*Connection: If you could go back and change one thing about your high school athletic career, what would it be?

Pinkston: Nothing. I've learned so much over my career. The losses stand out. Losing to Lake Braddock freshman year in the playoffs; losing in the [wrestling] state finals twice; losing a game by one point because someone didn't do his job; and a lot of others that I can't think of right now. Those stand out. But if it wasn't for those losses, I wouldn't know how to combat adversity. It also gave me a striving force to be better. You’ve got to have that dog in you. If you don't have that dog in you, you'll get eaten (that's what was lacking in our football teams after Coach Mark Bendorf retired).

*Connection: What are you most looking forward to about the transition from high school to college?

Pinkston: I am looking forward to the level of difficulty rising. I am always looking to improve. I hope to start at D tackle this year.

*Connection: Who is your favorite music artist? Why?

Pinkston: I'd have to say Jason Aldean or Tim McGraw. They can put on a great show!

*Connection: What is your favorite movie? Why?

Pinkston: ‘The Pursuit of Happyness.’ It portrays that anything is possible with hard work.

*Connection: What is your favorite hobby outside of football and wrestling?

Pinkston: I love to hang out with my buddies, hunt, and fish --- basically anything outdoors. I also love a good game of Madden on Xbox.

*Connection: What location is the farthest you have traveled from the Washington, D.C. metro area?

Pinkston: My family is from Kansas. I go there every summer. That would be the farthest.

*Connection: Did you follow the World Cup? If so, for which team(s) did you cheer?

Pinkston: Yes, I followed FIFA. I rooted for USA, of course! Once they lost to Germany, I rooted for them because they better win the World Cup after beating the next best team, USA!