UCLA football wide receiver Jake Bobo spoke to the media after the Bruins’ fall camp session on Saturday. Bobo discussed how he is adjusting to the Southern California lifestyle, the benefits of naming, image and likeness rights, and his favorite places to eat in Westwood.
Go on the boat ride this week?
I did, it was a good time.
What was your favorite part of that?
dolphins It was very, very cool, actually. We chased a pod of dolphins for 10 or 15 minutes. I had never been this close to a dolphin before so that was great for me. Everyone got their phones out, so it was a good time for everyone. But yeah, it was good overall, amazing that Dorian did that. I think it was great for us as a group, getting to camp to reestablish ourselves as an offense before we got into this. But yeah, it was a great moment, obviously I thank Dorian for doing that. That’s why he is who he is, that’s why he is the leader of this offense and of this team. He also shows you why he is in that position.
Example of how NIL can change the college athlete experience?
Yes Yes. Obviously, I couldn’t tell you what she was like five or ten years ago, but I imagine she’s a little different. Just on that note, I don’t know if the guys would go boating two days before camp just to have a good time as a group with money that was basically soccer or track. Personally, I don’t have much experience with all of that, I have to make a few more plays in blue and gold before that happens. But again, Dorian, with the position that he’s in, the position that he’s in, it’s great to see him take advantage of it in that way. [INAUDIBLE – HELICOPTER] You will love being next to the hospital!
Do you have any NIL offers?
Not big, no income-based deals, just some clothing brands, just some stuff I got from social media posts and stuff like that. Which is great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s great to see how some of these guys can turn those things into bigger and bigger events.
How would you compare the success of NIL at Duke to that at UCLA?
I think it’s a little bit different, just being in Los Angeles, the market that’s here. I also think it was hard because it was the first year, last year was like the first year that all of this got real. So there weren’t a lot of opportunities like the Westwood Exchange and some of the UCLA stuff, I’m sure that’s in the works at Durham. But as we get into this and get deeper, I’m sure a lot of schools will start [INAUDIBLE].
Talk about it in the locker room?
Not really. I mean there are some funny jabs here and there, some jokes being thrown around like using some of that NIL money, some for us or something. But I don’t mean anything real, it doesn’t create a division or anything down there in the locker room. It’s a good thing I had a question about when this all started, but it’s good to see it’s nothing serious.
Thoughts on offense?
Yes I love it. You can see that this group has played together for a while. Dorian and Zach and some of the guys up front, how they work together, even with Kam and Kaz, some of those guys. It’s great to step in and be a part of that chemistry with guys that have been playing together for two, three years, four or five years if you’re Dorian or some of those guys up front. But we’re explosive, I think Coach Kelly does a great job of putting guys in positions where they can make big plays. And obviously, you give the ball to 24, you never know what’s going to happen. So we have to make sure we give that guy the rock and then on the perimeter, we’re locking our tails for him. But it’s great to be in an offense where any disadvantage and distance, you can take it home, which we all know, we’re all aware of. But yeah, it’s nice to be a part of that system.
Chemistry in the field with Dorian?
Scroll to Continue
I think it’s been good. For me, he has been great. I give all the credit in the world to him and who he is and the type of player he is. I walked in and he immediately took me under his wing, so to speak, he showed me the ropes, the schematic and some of that stuff, he took me through the playbook. Coach Kelly’s playbook can be daunting at times; he’s always like, ‘If you have any questions, text me, call me, whatever,’ I make the most of that. You know, sometimes I’m sure he doesn’t appreciate it very much, but he’s been great helping me and giving me opportunities to make plays as well, which you have to do well when he does.
Anything that sets Dorian apart from other quarterbacks you’ve played with?
Yeah. His ability just to… explosiveness, I think in short, with his arm and his legs is different than what I’ve been doing. I’ve been with some quarterbacks really, really at Duke the last four years, but the difference with him is the combination of his legs and his arm — he can wrestle out of the pocket and next thing you know, he’s 20, 25 yards. across the field with a snap of the fingers, those things happen. That’s what sets him apart: he can make good plays with his arm, but then you look away for a second and he’s got a 30-yard run.
What do you think of LA?
Yeah, I think LA took some getting used to, how big, there’s a lot of people here, but it’s been amazing so far. There’s always something going on, you know, not really having to worry about it in the month of August, these next three weeks you really won’t have to worry about it. But you’ve got the beach right there, you’ve got downtown, Santa Monica is a great place, so I’ve had a lot of fun hanging out with these guys especially, but there’s never a dull moment in LA.
Los Angeles teammates showing you the ropes?
Show you the ropes, show you the spots, yeah those guys have definitely helped with the transition for sure.
Split Fanbase With In-N-Out Feedback On Spring Camp? Is there anything else about Westwood that you like?
Listen, I’m not going to say that I take back those comments. I have a different appreciation for In-N-Out, a couple of the guys on the team have taken me there a bunch of times and given me a hard time. It’s a good burger, it’s a solid burger, it’s just when you compare it to other restaurants. I think Fat Sal’s is a great place, Hangry Moons is a great place, you have the classic Chipotle on Westwood Boulevard, yes there are a plethora of options in downtown Westwood which has been great.
No In-N-Out NIL deal?
No. I don’t blame them after that last episode either.
Do you like Durham or Boston burgers better? What are you measuring In-N-Out with?
The Cook-Out scene: There’s a restaurant called Cook-Out (Kam Brown shaking his head). Cook-Out is a good place, like it’s up there with In-N-Out, say what you will.
Night messages to Dorian?
Like ‘Are you awake?’ texts? Nah, I tend to stay away from those, but I’m sure I’d be open to it.
Follow Connon on Twitter at @SamConnon
Follow the All Bruins on Twitter at @SI_AllBruins
Like All Bruins on Facebook at @SI.AllBruins
Subscribe to All Bruins on YouTube
Read more stories from UCLA: UCLA Bruins in Sports Illustrated
Read more UCLA football stories: UCLA Football at Sports Illustrated
Source: www.si.com