Fromm won’t ‘pass’ on Gatorade honor

He was wearing gym shorts, not khakis. It was closer to 2 p.m. than 3 a.m.

No, this Jake Fromm is not likely to be representing any insurance company at odd hours, not the way this football thing is working out.

After becoming only the fourth quarterback in Georgia high school football history to pass for 4,000 yards in one season, the Houston County High junior was named the 2015-16 Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year.

“Jake is a blessing to have in our football program,” said Von Lassiter, head coach and athletic director for Houston County High. “Gatorade could not have chosen a better person for their Georgia Player of The Year. He is very well-deserving of this award and is a great representative of our team, school, community and state.”

Officially for the 2015 season, Fromm’s numbers in the air were 4,099 yards and 36 touchdowns on 250-of-424 passing. For the second season in a row with Fromm as the No. 1 QB, the Bears went 11-2 reaching the Class AAAAA quarterfinals.

But Fromm gets the comparisons a lot, even though the television commercial’s text actually is “Jake from …” He was also once called the “Manchild” when he played Little League Baseball for Warner Robins American and – visually anyway – was a man among boys. Even “3-run” would have been an appropriate moniker, for not only was Fromm knocking home runs a mile away, but always seemed to be with two runners on base.

Fromm played in the Little League World Series in Williamsport in 2011 after his team won the Southeastern Regional Tournament held in Warner Robins. If he wasn’t pitching, Fromm was the shortstop. In what was anything but a routine play, he reached up and snagged a line drive in the final inning to save Georgia’s win against Alabama.

“It was an awesome experience playing in the Little League World Series,” said Fromm. “You got to play in front of a lot of people, the experience of a big-time atmosphere. I enjoyed every minute of it being with my teammates whom I grew up with.

“It was a lot of pressure for a 12-, 13-year-old, being put in situations, being put on the mound. It helped me learn to play in front of big crowds today.”

The topic of baseball isn’t done yet, for Fromm had an even bigger diamond experience his freshman year at Houston County High. He was the starting first baseman for Jason Brett’s 2014 Class 5A state champions, but he wasn’t the focal point of the offense. That was reserved for seniors like Blake Jackson, Justin Jones and Hunt Smith.

“That was crazy,” said Fromm, who before baseball played varsity football in the fall. “Coming off a good football season, the first winning season we’ve had in a while, being put in the fire as they say during baseball season. Played with some really big time talent we had on the team. I’m blessed to say we came out with the state championship.”

Not one time that season did Fromm knock a baseball out of the park.

“To be honest, I was just a role player,” he said. “It was the first time I’d been a role player. I was four years younger than everyone else. I think I held my own and contributed any way I could.”

Football, though, is Fromm’s “passion.”

“It’s more fun to me playing in front of big crowds and be able to make those big plays,” said Fromm, who might have been pointed towards the linemen group to play tight end, being that he is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, on the first day of practice. “God gave me a lot of ability to throw a football, and I thank Him for it. That’s just God-given talent, and I’m trying to use it the best I can.”

Both Fromm and Lassiter arrived in the Houston County High program at the same time. Lassiter’s scheme has so far meant 8,835 career passing yards for Fromm, which is fourth on the all-time state list.

“It’s amazing, God’s plan, when we all got here at the same time,” he said. “And all the things we’ve been able to accomplish. It’s amazing to see the school spirit and support from the community. I hope it keeps going.”

Fromm had 3,628 yards and 31 touchdowns to just five interceptions as a sophomore. Lassiter’s words in the 2015 preseason were: “He’ll never be as good as he wants to be. He holds himself accountable. He can always improve and he knows that.”

“I’m very confident in my skills, but there is so much room for improvement,” said Fromm. “Every single day we’re busting it in the weight room trying to get better, to take the next step.”

Fromm’s also had to deal with a lot of attention, people watching him closely and telling him about this major college and that major college. During the fall, he took care of that by verbally committing to the two-time Southeastern Conference champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

“I love Alabama,” said Fromm. “I love coach Saban and everything they stand for. It helps to go to a place where you feel you can win a national championship every year.”

It would take another season of well over 4,000 yards, but Fromm is in that position to challenge the record of Deshaun Watson – who might be winning the Heisman Trophy for Clemson tonight (Saturday) and a national title of his own in January – for career passing yards. Huston Mason has the single season record of 4,560.

But the team goal is first, and that’s getting Houston County past the quarterfinals and into the state title game in 2016. Fromm said state records would mean a lot, but the state championship weighs more in his mind. He would have a lot of people to thank if he can set a new state mark, because the Bears gave him numerous targets from Dorian Anderson to Payton Johnson to Jaylen Searcy to Amari Colbert to even Chris Brinson out of the backfield.

“We have a lot of great guys here,” said Fromm. “They bust their tails. I’m really thankful for those kind of guys.

“I’m thankful God gave me the opportunity, and (Gatorade Player of the Year), I’m thankful to Gatorade. It’s a great achievement.”

Fromm has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to donating his time as a peer tutor and youth sports instructor, he volunteers for his church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Special Olympics.

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