#13 Jake Rufe
Jake Rufe made the most professional appearances in his career in 2022 (22), including ten starts. As a crucial defensive piece after Freddy Kleeman’s injury early in the season, Rufe garnered 26 clearances, 21 interceptions, and made 437 passes.
During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Rufe made 20 appearances and racked up 18 tackles, 14 interceptions, and five blocks. In 2021, Rufe scored an exhilarating goal from inside Legion’s own half in the last minute of BHM’s 3-1 win over Indy Eleven, winning him the Fan-Voted Legion FC Goal of the Year.
Rufe began his collegiate career at Indiana University before transferring to Western Michigan University where he started 52 of a possible 55 matches and added four goals and two assists. During his time at Western Michigan, Rufe earned Second Team All-MAC and Academic All-MAC honors. He also spent time with AFC Ann Arbor, in USL League Two.
Prior to his collegiate and professional career, Rufe grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, where he attended Grissom High School and was named Gatorade Alabama Boys State Player of the Year in 2014. Rufe was the third State POY to sign with Legion FC, following Chandler Hoffman (’08, ’09) and JJ Williams (’16).
