Jake Byczko

Photo by: THOM KENDALL FOR UMASS ATHLETICS

Photo by: Thom Kendall - UMass Athletics

Position:
Defensive Line
Height:
6-3
Weight:
260
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Auburn, Mass.
High School:
Lawrence Academy / Saint John's

2020 • Senior

• Appeared in three games as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker
• Posted 15 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 1.0 sacks, one forced fumble, a pass breakup and one quarterback hurry
• Had four tackles and a quarterback hurry at No. 16 Marshall in his return to the field
• Totaled eight tackles, including a single-game career-high 3.0 TFLs, at FAU (11/20)
• Posted three solo tackles, including 1.0 TFLs, a forced fumble and a pass breakup at Liberty (11/27)

2019 • Junior

• Played in and started nine games on the defensive line
• Missed the conclusion of the season due to injury
• Totaled 34 tackles (11-23), 2.0 TFLs, one pass breakup and a quarterback hurry
• Made nine tackles, including an assisted-TFL, against Southern Illinois (9/7)
• Notched seven takedowns with 1.0 TFLs in the win over Akron (9/28)
• Had six stops, including an assisted TFL, versus UConn (10/26)

2018 • Sophomore

• Starred on the defensive line in all 12 games
• Finished the year with 55 tackles (17-38), including 5.0 TFLs and 3.5 sacks
• Also forced two fumbles and recovered two more
• Began the year with seven tackles, including 1.0 TFLs, against Duquesne (8/25)
• Posted four stops at Georgia Southern (9/8)
• Also had four takedowns at FIU (9/15) alongside a forced fumble
• Broke through the Charlotte (9/22) line for five tackles, including 2.0 sacks for 18 yards lost, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery
• Notched four tackles with an assisted sack against USF (10/6)
• Earned 10 takedowns against Coastal Carolina (10/20)
• Provided back-to-back games with four tackles in the wins over UConn (10/27) and Liberty (11/3)
• Recorded five tackles, including an assisted TFL, and one fumble recovery against BYU (11/10)
• Capped the season with four stops, including a two-yard sack, at No. 5 Georgia (11/17)

2017 • Freshman

• Saw action in all 12 games as a reserve defensive lineman
• Had 23 tackles on the season, including 2.0 TFLs, and broke up three passes
• First career appearance was against Hawai'i (8/26), with one tackle in the game
• Broke out for 10 stops against Old Dominion (9/9), including an assisted TFL
• Notched a pair of pass breakups and made one tackle at Temple (9/15)
• Had four tackles, including 1.5 TFLs for five yards lost, at Tennessee (9/23)
• Broke up his third pass of the season at BYU (11/18)
• Provided two tackles apiece against Appalachian State (10/28) and at FIU (12/2).

Before Massachusetts

• Played two seasons of football at Lawrence Academy for Paul Zukauskas after he competed for John Andrioli at Saint John's
• Was a two-time first team all-league selection at Lawrence Academy
• Posted 12 sacks among his 86 tackles in his first season at Lawrence Academy and hauled in a TD reception while playing tight end
• Followed with 81 tackles, including 10 sacks, in his second year at Lawrence Academy
• Also played for seasons of baseball, two each at Saint John's and Lawrence Academy

Personal

• Son of Peter and Lisa
• Brother to Zac