Central Michigan University Athletics
2023 Football Roster

Jersey Number 23
Jake Tafelski
- Position:
- Running Back
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 220
- Class:
- Redshirt Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Dearborn, Mich.
- High School:
- Dearborn H.S.
- Major:
- Sport Management
- Twitter:
- @jake_tafelski
- Instagram:
- jake_tafelski
CAREER
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Played in 25 career games, rushed for 21 yards on seven carries and one touchdown, caught six passes for 42 yards, and made six tackles (two solo).
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2023
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As a redshirt sophomore running back, saw action in 11 of 12 games on the year … listed as a backup on the depth chart … played mostly on special teams … rushed three times for 12 yards with a long of five yards and caught one pass for no yards and made four tackles (one solo) on special teams on season … made one tackle on special teams at Ohio (11/15) … made one tackle on special teams vs. Northern Illinois (10/31) … made one tackle at South Alabama (9/23) … made one tackle vs. New Hampshire (9/9) … rushed three times for 12 yards and caught one pass for no yards in season opener at Michigan State (9/1).
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2022
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As a redshirt freshman, played in all 12 games at running back … Academic All-Mid-American Conference selection … saw action in 220 plays primarily on special teams and at running back … concluded year with three rushing attempts for four yards and a touchdown with a long of three yards and caught four passes for 37 yards with a long of 16 … scored a touchdown on three carries and four yards and caught four passes for 37 yards vs. Bowling Green (10/22).
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2021
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Redshirted his true freshman season at Central Michigan  … played in four games as a true freshman … carried one time for five yards and made a 5-yard reception vs. Robert Morris (9/11).
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2020
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Enrolled at Central Michigan on July 1, 2020 … Did not see any game action.
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HIGH SCHOOL
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A 2020 graduate of Dearborn High School, where he played two years of varsity football … played running back, strong safety and returned kicks … totaled 937 all-purpose yards, including 375 rushing with a long of 50 and five rushing touchdowns, 250 receiving yards on 22 receptions, and 17 tackles (nine solo) and two interceptions as a junior … rated at two-star recruit by Rivals and 247sports … played hockey for Dearborn Unified and at Edsel Ford High School.
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PERSONAL
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Born Jacob Tafelski on July 27, 2002 … son of Tom and Deanna Tafelski … chose Central Michigan after being recruited by Cornell and Eastern Michigan … majors in Sport Management.
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Played in 25 career games, rushed for 21 yards on seven carries and one touchdown, caught six passes for 42 yards, and made six tackles (two solo).
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2023
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As a redshirt sophomore running back, saw action in 11 of 12 games on the year … listed as a backup on the depth chart … played mostly on special teams … rushed three times for 12 yards with a long of five yards and caught one pass for no yards and made four tackles (one solo) on special teams on season … made one tackle on special teams at Ohio (11/15) … made one tackle on special teams vs. Northern Illinois (10/31) … made one tackle at South Alabama (9/23) … made one tackle vs. New Hampshire (9/9) … rushed three times for 12 yards and caught one pass for no yards in season opener at Michigan State (9/1).
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2022
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As a redshirt freshman, played in all 12 games at running back … Academic All-Mid-American Conference selection … saw action in 220 plays primarily on special teams and at running back … concluded year with three rushing attempts for four yards and a touchdown with a long of three yards and caught four passes for 37 yards with a long of 16 … scored a touchdown on three carries and four yards and caught four passes for 37 yards vs. Bowling Green (10/22).
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2021
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Redshirted his true freshman season at Central Michigan  … played in four games as a true freshman … carried one time for five yards and made a 5-yard reception vs. Robert Morris (9/11).
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2020
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Enrolled at Central Michigan on July 1, 2020 … Did not see any game action.
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HIGH SCHOOL
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A 2020 graduate of Dearborn High School, where he played two years of varsity football … played running back, strong safety and returned kicks … totaled 937 all-purpose yards, including 375 rushing with a long of 50 and five rushing touchdowns, 250 receiving yards on 22 receptions, and 17 tackles (nine solo) and two interceptions as a junior … rated at two-star recruit by Rivals and 247sports … played hockey for Dearborn Unified and at Edsel Ford High School.
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PERSONAL
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Born Jacob Tafelski on July 27, 2002 … son of Tom and Deanna Tafelski … chose Central Michigan after being recruited by Cornell and Eastern Michigan … majors in Sport Management.
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Jordan Kwiatkowski Press Conference vs Kent State
Friday, November 21
Michael Heldman Post-Game Interview at Kent State
Thursday, November 20
Matt Drinkall Post-Game Interview at Kent State
Thursday, November 20
Players Football Insider - 11.18.25
Tuesday, November 18




