Jake Julien
TeamEdmonton Elks
StatusActive
Importno
Position 1Punter
Birth dateNovember 10, 1998 (age 27)
Birth placeBarrie, Ontario, Canada
Number10
CollegeEastern Michigan
High schoolBarrie North Collegiate
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lbs227
Cfldraftedyear2021
Cfldraftedround4
Cfldraftedpick31
Teams
Career highlights
  • CFL All-Star (2024)
  • CFL West All Star (2024)
Cfljake-julien/166265/

Jacob Christopher Julien (born November 10, 1998) is a Canadian professional football punter for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Eastern Michigan Eagles and has been a member of the New England Patriots, and Ottawa Redblacks.

Early life

Julien was born on November 10, 1998, in Barrie, Ontario.[1] He attended Barrie North Collegiate Institute and was a soccer and rugby player until Grade 11.[2][3] He had noticed some of the football players attempting to make 50-yard field goals in practice and tried it out himself.[3] He was able to successfully convert them and the football coach suggested he play for the team.[3] Julien played two years for the football team and helped them win a conference championship while playing placekicker and punter, earning offensive most valuable player honors as a senior.[4] He attended Kohl's kicking camps and was given a five-star rating as a punter.[4] He also earned most valuable player honors in soccer and rugby.[4]

College career

During his final year of high school, Julien intended on accepting an offer to play U Sports football for the York Lions.[3] He then got an offer to play as a walk-on for the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the NCAA's Division I FBS, which he accepted.[3] He saw immediate playing time as a true freshman in 2017, appearing in nine games while punting 33 times for 1,407 yards.[4] The following year, he was named second-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) after punting 71 times for 3,078 yards.[4] He was a nominee for the Ray Guy Award for best punter nationally and additionally was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week five times, the all-time single-season record for the Eagles.[5]

In 2019, Julien again earned second-team All-MAC honors.[5] He earned second-team All-MAC honors for a third time in 2020 while also being a nominee for the Ray Guy Award, leading the conference and placing eighth nationally with a 44.25 punt average.[6] Julien was selected in the fourth round (31st overall) of the 2021 CFL draft by the Ottawa Redblacks, but chose to return for a final year of college football due to the NCAA giving all players an extra season of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][7] In his final season, he punted 51 times for 2,343 yards, averaging 45.9 yards per punt.[8][9] Julien finished his stint at Eastern Michigan with a career average of 43.4 yards per punt in 54 games, tied for the highest all-time, additionally ranking eighth in school history for total punting yards (7,383).[9][10]

Professional career

New England Patriots

After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Julien was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent.[11] He competed with Jake Bailey for the punting job but was ultimately released on August 16.[12][13] While a free agent, he tried out with the New York Jets in September and later with the Patriots in October.[14][15]

Ottawa Redblacks

Julien was signed by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), who had drafted him in 2021, on May 11, 2023.[16] He was released at the final roster cutdowns on June 3, 2023.[17]

Edmonton Elks (first stint)

On June 3, 2023, Julien was signed by the Edmonton Elks to be their starting punter.[18][19] He turned in an outstanding 2024 season, taking home division and league-wide honors for the punter position, and winning an overtime game by punting a tie-breaking rouge.[20]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On January 21, 2025, Julien signed a reserve/future contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[21] He was waived on August 5.[22]

Edmonton Elks (second stint)

It was announced on August 27, 2025, that Julien had re-signed with the Edmonton Elks.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Jake Julien". Canadian Football League
  2. ^ Gibson, Shawn (July 4, 2021). "Drafted into the CFL, Barrie's Jake Julien plans to kick until his 'leg falls off'". Collingwood Today
  3. ^ Pereira, Gene (October 28, 2020). "Barrie's Jake Julien ready to soar again with NCAA's Eastern Michigan Eagles". Barrie Today
  4. ^ "Jake Julien". Eastern Michigan Eagles
  5. ^ McQueary, Blake (October 5, 2021). "Jake Julien shares accomplishments as a football player for Eastern Michigan University". The Eastern Echo
  6. ^ Jimenez, James H. (May 5, 2021). "Three former MAC players selected in 2021 Canadian Football League Draft". HustleBelt.com
  7. ^ Spiegel, Jackie (May 4, 2021). "CFL Draft picks 2021: Complete results, list of selections for Rounds 1-6". The Sporting News
  8. ^ Buchmasser, Bernd (June 8, 2022). "Patriots 2022 roster breakdown: Jake Julien is challenging the established order at punter". PatsPulpit.com
  9. ^ "Monday's NFL: Patriots sign undrafted punter Jake Julien of Eastern Michigan". The Detroit News. Associated Press. May 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Ralph, Dan (April 5, 2022). "Canadian punter Julien feels time at Eastern Michigan has prepared him for the NFL". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press
  11. ^ "EMU Punter Jake Julien Signs with New England Patriots". Eastern Michigan Eagles. April 30, 2022.
  12. ^ Hurwitz, Ethan (August 9, 2022). "Despite New Contract, Can Patriots Veteran Lose Punting Job To Rookie?". Sports Illustrated
  13. ^ "New England Patriots release Canadian punter Jake Julien". 3DownNation.com. August 16, 2022.
  14. ^ B, John (September 13, 2022). "Jets Sign Ty Long to Practice Squad After Working Four Punters Out". GangGreenNation.com
  15. ^ Buchmasser, Bernd (October 27, 2022). "Old friend Jake Julien among 4 free agent punters reportedly set to visit Patriots". PatsPulpit.com
  16. ^ "Ottawa Redblacks sign five players, including 2021 CFL Draft pick punter Jake Julien". 3DownNation.com. May 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Redblacks release 21 as part of final roster cuts, including Canadian punter Jake Julien". 3DownNation.com. June 3, 2023.
  18. ^ "Elks sign Canadian punter Jake Julien, release American DL Christian Rector". 3DownNation.com. June 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Campbell, Dave (June 9, 2023). "Edmonton Elks' young secondary will be tested early and often in home-opener". Global News
  20. ^ "Ford's heroics and walk-off rouge lift Elks over Argonauts in overtime". Toronto Star. October 26, 2024.
  21. ^ Smith, Scott (January 21, 2025). "Bucs Ink DL Adam Gotsis, P Jake Julien to Futures Deals". Buccaneers.com
  22. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive Canadian punter Jake Julien". 3down Nation. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  23. ^ "Transaction: Record setting punter Jake Julien returns to the Elks". Edmonton Elks. Retrieved August 27, 2025.