More than a holder: How Jake Sock became an invaluable part of Houston football

With less than five minutes remaining, Houston comfortably led Southern 77-6, with some fans choosing to file out of a game that had long been decided.

But one group in the stands still had reason to celebrate.

After five years in Houston’s program, walk-on quarterback Jake Sock finally got the opportunity to take a collegiate snap.

His family, including his parents, sister and girlfriend, were there to witness it.

“Everybody was really happy for me. Even when I came up to the sideline, I had everybody around me,” Sock said. “It was a really cool moment for me and my family.”

Over five years at Houston, Sock had come to terms with the possibility that he’d never play at quarterback, acknowledging that he hadn’t put himself in a position to compete for the role.

What was just a few snaps on the field became the realization of something he never imagined growing up.

“It was really cool to be able to take that first snap at the college level, because as a kid I’d never thought I’d get there. So it was awesome, it really was.”

Beginning his career as a walk-on quarterback from Pearland, Sock knew anything he set out to accomplish would be an “uphill battle.”

When he arrived, Sock set a goal for himself: travel with the team.

With limited available spots on Houston’s travel roster, Sock spent his freshman season without an opportunity to partake in road games.

It wasn’t until his sophomore season that an opportunity came.

Houston’s special teams coordinator at the time, Mark Scott, approached Sock and freshman quarterback Jett Huff, a fellow signaler.

He told them whoever emerged as the better holder would earn the right to travel and signal.

“So I worked at it,” Sock said. “Every day before practice I would get on the machine and catch snaps, put them down and hold.”

Sock won the competition against Huff, beginning to travel to signal and serve as the backup holder to Laine Wilkins, who was also Houston’s primary punter in 2023.

“They got me on the bus, and I’m grateful that I took that next step.”

Wilkins graduated following that season, with Sock remaining the backup holder to freshman Liam Dougherty for the first five weeks of 2024.

He traveled with Houston, as he’d done for over a year, to play at TCU in Fort Worth on Oct. 4.

But it was different this time.

The next step had arrived.

Sock started for the first time in his career, serving as Houston’s primary holder to senior kicker Jack Martin in what became the Cougars’ lone road conference win of the season.

But perhaps his biggest moment yet came later that month.

Tied at 14 with Utah in the waning seconds, Martin, Sock and Houston’s field goal unit lined up for a game-winning attempt from 43 yards out.

Martin hadn’t attempted a field goal since Oct. 4, but it was all cast aside as the ball sailed in between the uprights for a dramatic homecoming victory.

A year later, Sock found himself in a similar position.

He held for senior kicker Ethan Sanchez as the Cougars lined up for another last-second field goal on homecoming, this time to secure a 31-28 win over Arizona.

Sock’s practice and preparation have made those moments feel no different.

“I’ve been put in that situation by the staff enough times to know to just fall back on my training,” Sock said. “I’ve done this before, and I can almost close my eyes and do it at this point. It’s just natural to me.”

The preparation behind those moments is something Sock has come to appreciate, even if his role isn’t what he originally envisioned when he arrived at Houston.

Sock has found himself belonging to two different position groups as he splits time between specialist and quarterback.

“I don’t get to be around them (specialists) as much as they are together, but when I am around them I feel like I’m a part of them,” Sock said. “I call myself the honorary spec half the time. They’re great dudes, fun to be around.”

The connection has extended to his kickers, including junior Jonathan Dimas, who, like Sock, spent time waiting for his opportunity.

Their shared experiences have allowed Sock to pass on lessons he’s learned on handling the pressure that comes with finally getting a chance to contribute.

“Hey man, you know the moment is going to be big, but don’t make it too big. Everything you’ve worked for has come to a culmination at this point,” Sock would tell Dimas.

But Sock’s contributions to Houston extend beyond his special teams responsibilities.

Whether it’s signaling plays, disguising signals, or telling receivers where to line up, Sock has become a valuable presence on the sideline.

“He has a huge role in the offense,” assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell said. “He’s always in the back, dialed in, coaching the guys and getting them to where they need to be.”

Bell has made it a point to emphasize that importance to his quarterbacks, regardless of their place on the depth chart.

In their first meeting of the year, Bell told them that Sock’s role is as important as fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman’s.

“It’s a different role, but Jake does so much for this offense, so much for this football team,” Bell said. “He has no clue the impact he has in that locker room.”

That impact is especially felt by Weigman, who has developed a close relationship with Sock through their time together in the quarterback room.

The two regularly study film together, strengthening a bond that extends beyond football.

“That’s my brother for life. I have his back through everything,” Weigman said. “Just to have a guy like that in the quarterback room, it’s special. He means a lot to me, he means a lot to this team, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without him.”

Sock hopes to carry that influence into a career beyond his playing days.

“When I kind of saw the writing on the wall that playing might not be my next step here, it kind of turned into, ‘Alright, you gotta think about the future.’”

Along the way, Sock developed a deeper appreciation for “the X’s and O’s of the game,” fueling his interest in coaching.

For the past two years, Sock has treated his time at Houston like an internship, and has tried to learn and absorb as much as he can from the staff before his playing career is over.

“The staff has been great with me. They know this is what I want to do and they’ve been super supportive of that,” Sock said. “I’m sure, whether it’s here or somewhere else, they’re definitely gonna help you out when that time comes.”

While that time hasn’t arrived quite yet, Bell believes Sock is ready for his next chapter.

“Jake’s got coach written all over him,” Bell said. “I think he’s going to be a highly successful coach, and he’s a great young man.”