Jake Bequette

Little Rock, AR

An Arkansas native, Jake was a third-generation University of Arkansas football player, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and uncle. During his four years as a Razorback, Jake was an All-SEC defensive end, an Academic All-American, and the Defensive MVP of the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic. Jake was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft and was a member of the Super Bowl XLIX championship team in 2014 before ending his successful run in the NFL the following year.

In 2017, Jake joined the military. He earned his commission as an Infantry Lieutenant in 2018, graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School, and then deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division in 2019.

Upon returning home from Iraq and concluding his military career, in 2021 Jake launched The Arkansas Fund — a nonprofit dedicated to helping small businesses in Arkansas that were struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jake ran for U.S. Senate in 2022, and he currently resides in Arkansas.