Kaneland's Jake Buckley, who grew up as a West Aurora fan, turns heads at Battle of the Big Butts. ‘He's a beast.'

Chicago Tribune

11-07-2025

Kaneland's Jake Buckley, a two-way lineman, looked and felt right at home Thursday afternoon walking around the grounds of West Aurora's Ormond Stadium.
And why not?
The Blackhawks' athletic facilities are like a second home to the Knights' three-sport athlete. His dad, Jason, has been the athletic director at West Aurora since 2012.
A bevy of young fans checked out hundreds of competitors in the Battle of the Big Butts, greeting the gregarious Jake with a fist bump or high five as linemen moved between seven event stations.
'I was a pretty fanatic West Aurora fan,' he said. 'I loved to dance when I was younger and I'd do it to hype up the crowd. I grew up rooting for both teams and still can since we're not in the same league and never see each other.
'It's fun being around here, seeing the culture this district has. It's similar to Kaneland culture.'
Jake Buckley, a chiseled 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, is easily recognizable, too.
'He's a beast,' Oswego assistant coach Marc Kersting said. 'He's definitely a good one.'
A two-way starter for Kaneland coach Mike Thorgesen, Buckley plays left tackle on offense and rotates between nose guard and tackle on defense.
'With Jake, the secret is there is no secret,' Thorgesen said. 'He's the hardest working kid on the team in the weight room, plays three sports, tough as nails. I don't know that we instilled it in him.
'He's a natural. We're just high on him, and I'm going to enjoy having him this senior season.'
Buckley, who also plays basketball and does throws in track, comes from an athletic family.
His dad and mom, Jennifer Gabel Buckley, both played basketball at Aurora University. Jennifer coached the AU women's team from 1999 to 2005 and Jason started Oswego East's boys program, coaching varsity from 2005 to 2012 before moving into administration.
Jake's older sister, Maddie, is a senior right-hitter for Ball State in volleyball.
'It has impacted me,' Jake said. 'I've wanted to push myself more, coming from a family who is sports happy and athletic. It's my job to carry the torch for the next family member.
'It's fun being one of the only football players in the family. I'm proud of myself for doing that.'
He's drawing recruiting interest with offers from FCS Division I Drake along with McKendree, Roosevelt and Olivet Nazarene and a roster spot offer from North Central College.
Walking past Buckley, West Aurora coach Nate Eimer chimed in.
'You can quote me — this kid needs more D-I offers,' Eimer said. 'What a joke. I'll tweet it tomorrow.'
Thorgesen isn't sure what to think, figuring lower interest for some high school players is being driven by the growth and influence of the transfer portal on college recruiting.
'Jake is definitely getting attention with texts from other D-I schools,' Thorgesen said. 'I think he'll be impactful next level, but it's hard to compete with a 22-year-old adult.'
Buckley, who does weights year-round, led a group of 20 players for Kaneland lifting before school four times a week last winter and spring to improve the team's strength. He doesn't seem worried.
'I had to battle because I didn't start playing collision football until eighth grade,' he said. 'I understand people want to go high Division I or a Power Four school. But do I want to go play good minutes right away or have to redshirt and sit for two years?
'I'm going to a place where I can play. That's what I want to do, and I feel like North Central, for instance, is a place I could do it.'
This season comes first, however. It's his finale for Kaneland.
'We were young last year, starting seven sophomores,' Buckley said. 'We've gotten stronger and don't want to be a 5-5 first-round exit like last year. We want to be better and make a good run.
'Hopefully, we'll be disciplined and ready to go Week 1.'