Bishop Hendricken senior lineman Jake Picard added his name to the long list of Hawks that have signed on to play collegiate football, as he committed to Division I Villanova University in Pennsylvania at the school on Wednesday afternoon.

The two-time state champion and two-time team captain cemented his place as one of the top linemen to ever play at Hendricken, and one of the best to high school players throughout the entire state.

Picard was named First Team All-State his junior year, as well as All-Division in both 2018 and 2019. He was also the FBU Boston Camp MVP and a National Combine Attendee in San Antonio, Texas earlier this year.

Picard is also a standout track athlete for Hendricken and was named to the All-Division team for throwing last season.

He also excelled in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.73 GPA.

“I’d like to thank my parents for all the work that they put in toward my football career and my character. I would especially like to thank my dad, who always pushed me to be the best and never let me let up. He always said the same thing, ‘don’t be complacent, only losers complain, and do more pushups,’ his favorite. I’d also like to take my mom who doesn’t really know exactly what I do as a lineman other than I block, but she has always been my biggest fan. Whenever I felt like quitting, she was always there with a motivational quote,” said Picard in a statement in front of his friends, family and school.

He also thanked the Hendricken community for helping him reach his full potential in the green and gold.

“A tremendous thank you to everyone who really pushed me to be the best here, especially the coaches. You have all contributed to my success and I am proud to be a Hendricken Hawk. I am grateful for my Hendricken family,” said Picard.

Hendricken head coach Keith Croft was not present at the ceremony, but sent a video message that was played for Picard.

“We’re so happy for you, Villanova is a great academic institution and a great football program. You have been a tremendous ambassador for our school and our football program, and you were one of the best linemen that we’ve coached in the past decade,” said Croft.

Hendricken Principal Mark DeCiccio also made a statement prior to Picard’s signing.

“Jake epitomizes what it means to be a student athlete. His dedication to his studies, being on the President’s List, his dedication to service, faith, and his dedication to his teammates and coaches on the field, truly adopting what is means to be a Hendricken man,” said DeCiccio. “This our system and its battle tested, for 60 years we have been producing men like Mr. Picard. I am truly honored on behalf of Bishop Hendricken to congratulate Jake.”