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>Getting to Know…Jake Withers

The 2017 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft will be held Monday, September 18 at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario. NLL.com correspondent Stephen Stamp introduces you to some of the players expected to be chosen near the top of the draft in this series, Getting to Know a Prospect.

Getting to Know…Jake Withers

For lacrosse fans who don’t follow much summer box, Jake Withers probably burst into their consciousness this spring as he helped propel the Ohio State Buckeyes to the NCAA championship game. If you are more of a summer box afficionado, though, you already knew about his faceoff prowess from his time with the Peterborough Lakers in both Junior A and Major Series Lacrosse.

As an MSL rookie in 2016, Withers won two-thirds of the recorded draws he took. That’s good, but it pales beside the 78% he won this summer. For those only familiar with his field game, there’s another thing…while Withers took draws then got off the field for Ohio State, he plays defence for the Lakers and he plays it very well.

Name: Jake Withers

Date of birth: February 12, 1994

Position: Transition/Defence/Faceoff

Shooting hand: Right

Jr Team: Peterborough Lakers

Sr Team: Peterborough Lakers

College: THE Ohio State University

Who was your favourite player growing up? Scott Evans

What NLL player do you think your game is similar to or do you model your game after? Jordan MacIntosh

What will you bring to the team that drafts you? Grit, tenacity and hard work

What is your biggest accomplishment or the biggest moment of your lacrosse career so far? 2017 NCAA title run

Who would play you in the movie of your life? Not a clue. [Note: since Withers didn’t know who should play him in the movie of his life, I’ll go ahead and pick someone for him. I’ll go with Jason Statham]