2025 PFN Player Preview: Getting to Know Bishop Guilfoyle TE, DE, QB Jake Kissell
Tagged under: District 6, News, Player Previews
Billy Splain | July 1, 2025
Jake Kissell
TE, DE, QB
Bishop Guilfoyle Academy
Class Of 2026
Jersey #8
HT/WT 6’2, 215 lbs
20 Sacks 35 TFLs First Team All State DE First Team All Conference DE First Team All Area DE First Team Penn Live 1A-6A DE
Other sports Basketball
Altoona Mirror’s Athlete of the Week
Twitter: @jake_kissell
Coach says: “Jake is a D1 kid that has an incredible motor. He is 6’2” 220 pounds.and can move. He was named to the ALL PA Defensive Team last year as OLB/DE. I’m excited to see what he will do this year as a senior. He’s the perfect blend of size speed, and athleticism that makes him potentially one of the best players in Pennsylvania”.
Let’s get to know Jake!
Why do you play football?
I play football because I love the game and everything that comes with it. You build relationships that last a lifetime and learn lessons that will help you later in life. I also enjoy hitting people and scoring touchdowns.
Who is your favorite sports star and WHY?
T.J. McConnell of the Indiana Pacers. This is because he’s a dawg and no one out works him. Despite being 6 feet tall he holds his own in the NBA and is currently balling out in the finals.
Do you have a favorite play you remember the most? Explain:
My favorite play from last year was when my star teammate Taurean Consiglio had a monster 35 yard touchdown run to give us the upper hand in the state championship last year. It was a great moment and watching him break 4 tackles while blocking was a great thing to see.
What was last years season like for you?
It was a great year as my team and I won the district and state championships. I had a great junior year myself and really took strides to becoming the player I truly want to be.
What are your goals for this coming season?
Win districts and states again, and to also receive first team all state honors again as well.
Who is the best player you ever lined up against?
Austin Johnson – Muncy
What game, yours, college or pro, was your favorite game you watched and why?
Penn State vs Ohio State, 2016. My family and I are die hard Penn State fans and we had a huge watch party for the game. The blocked field goal was the most electric play I’ve ever watched and since Penn state can never beat Ohio State it was nice to finally beat them.
Describe what the perfect teammate is
The perfect teammate is someone that is responsible, accountable, dependable, and disciplined. The perfect teammate is someone that you should be able to communicate with easily and be able to critique and learn from teammate to teammate. The perfect teammate also should be your friend, someone that is great to be around and is a good person.
Tell everyone why you think football is good for a community
I believe football is amazing for the community as Friday night football brings people together from everywhere. There’s no better atmosphere than college or high school football as it is great to play and be a spectator. I think it is a great way for people to get out of their house and either play football or watch it with your friends and family.
Name one thing that you’d love to do in football that may never happen?
Kick a field goal or extra point
Who is your mentor, the person you want to be like? WHY?
The person I want to be like is my great grandmother. This is because she is the sweetest human and she will do anything for anyone. I want to be like her because I want to be as nice and as caring as she is because she is truly an amazing human being.
What is your favorite practice drill? What is your least favorite practice drill?
Favorite practice drill is passing one on ones, and my least favorite drills are offensive blocking drills.
Preseason Two a Days are:
Fun and exciting. Some people may think it’s exhausting and tiring but I think it’s amazing. I love the grind of football and two a days exemplify that. You also get to spend a ton of time with your buddies which is fun.
Is there anyone in your family, besides your parents, you could consider your biggest fan? Who, Why?
My two grandmothers are my two biggest supporters in everything. My grandma on my mother’s side is a bishop guilfoyle super fan and she comes to all of my games and then watches them online, while my grandmother on my dads side has my back no matter how bad or good I play and always lifts me up.
When you aren’t playing, practicing or training for sports, what is your go to activity and why?
Hanging out with friends and family is my go to choice because most of the time I’m running around and I have no time to spend with my family friends. I think it’s good to sit down, relax and listen to some music with your friends and family.
What is your favorite play to run?
Four Verticals
is a hot dog a sandwich? If not, then why?
I don’t think it is I think a hot dog is in its own category. It doesn’t look like the typical sandwich so it isn’t one.
Music of choice:
I enjoy all genres of music
Best thing you ever got from a teammate? Why?
Best thing I ever got from a teammate was a golf shirt for my birthday. The teammate is my brother
Best Pizza topping?
Cheese
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Florida
Do you remember what the first football game you saw was?
Not really but it was probably Penn State in 2013-2014 or the Steelers with Big Ben and Antonio Brown
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