Blake Leake has been a standout on Ohio’s defense this year. The grad transfer from Bucknell has been a key member of Ohio’s defensive unit and filled a huge hole at the linebacker position following the departures of Bryce Houston, Keye Thompson and others from last year’s team.
Leake has only played seven games in an Ohio uniform, but the veteran linebacker looks right at home in Peden Stadium. His production has impressed as well, leading the team in tackles through the first seven weeks with 45 and tacking 2.5 tackles for loss.
The Post sat down with Leake to discuss his transfer to Ohio and more.
TP: You spent a lot of time at Bucknell and you graduated from there. What brought you to Ohio?
Leake: Really, (the) COVID year, as miserable as it was, as rough as it was at the time, it was able to grant me the opportunity to have an extra year to play college football… I knew my whole time in college I was going to get a chance to transfer out and play somewhere else, so really, COVID, it was a blessing in disguise.
TP: You graduated from Bucknell, but what is your major right now?
Leake: I’m in the masters of science and management program.
TP: What job do you want to get into outside of football?
Leake: I've always had my eyes set on flying, actually. So really, I'm thinking of going and doing what I got to do to be a commercial airline pilot.
TP: If you could have two teammates with you to survive a zombie apocalypse, who would they be and why?
Leake: I'm going to go with Creed Hill. He’s a country boy, spent some time in the woods. He could probably find us a few meals out in the woods, and then I’ll probably go with Coleman Owen. Coleman’s a resourceful guy and it never hurts to have Coleman with you.
TP: Speaking of Coleman, I heard about a golf foursome with him, you, Parker Navarro and Ben McNaboe. What can you tell me about those days on the course?
Leake: Ever since we got back in the summer I think we were out there almost every day, and we had some fun times, some meltdowns out there, some clubs in the river and some water. But those are some good times. I know when I look back at my time in Ohio, hopefully, I'll be looking back at a (Mid-American Conference) Championship, but a lot of my memories will be on that golf course.
TP: Another golf-related question, but when we talked to Parker he said Coleman was the best golfer on the team. Anything you have to say about that?
Leake: I do not dispute it, Coleman is the best golfer I've seen on our team.
TP: I was doing some research and saw that your older brother played football at Navy. What was that dynamic like growing up, did you look up to him at all?
Leake: Oh yeah, definitely. Ever since I was little, I always had my eyes set on playing college football, professional football. I always thought I was just going to be a football player my whole life. And me and my brother used to argue about it. 'Oh, I'm gonna go here. I'm gonna go here.' And once he got into high school, and he started getting a few offers, that's when it really became real to me that this is a legit thing. He just had all the advice and the mentorship for me as I went through my time. So I mean, he's definitely my hero, and I'm glad he got to go through it first and not me, so he’s kind of the guinea pig.
TP: Do you have any favorite spots in Athens or on campus since you have gotten here?
Leake: We've been to the Fun Barn. Me, Ben, Coleman and Parker have been to the Fun Barn a few times. Coleman can tell you all about it right here, the Fun Barn, man. He knows what it’s all about. That’s kind of a hidden gem down here in Southeast Ohio, so I’d say that.
