BYU offensive lineman Jake Eichorn was touched and even overwhelmed to see how many people showed up to support him in his decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 29.

“You don’t realize how many people you impact until your teammates and coaches all show up, you have families driving all the way from Beaver [Utah] ... and my best friends that have all just got off missions,” said Eichorn, who was most appreciative for the support of his parents, David Eichorn and Rachele Shaha.

Jake Eichorn is an offensive lineman for the BYU Cougars and a recent convert of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Abby Shelton, BYU

The warm feeling of love only increased when Eichorn stepped to the pulpit to bear his testimony and surveyed the full chapel. He was so struck by the scene that he got choked up and shed a tear or two.

“The amount of people that showed up for me, I could not believe it,” he said later. “To realize that me being a good person and trying to build my faith has only made my social circle better, with more genuine, good people in my life, has brought me to a place that has allowed me to grow and blossom in my faith.”

Eichorn, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound sophomore for the Cougars from Beaver, Utah, reflected on his spiritual journey in an interview with the Church News following his baptism. He said the joyful occasion came after years of “going back and forth” on the decision.

A second family

Eichorn was raised in Beaver, Utah, where he became best friends with neighbor Derek Robinson at a young age.

The Robinsons were Latter-day Saints, and Eichorn spent a lot of time in their home. Derek’s father, Scott Robinson, served as a bishop and stake president during the years the boys were growing up. “He has seen us at our best and at our worst. We have laughed and cried together. He’s family,” Scott Robinson said.

“Pretty much every day of the week I was over at the Robinson’s house,” Eichorn said. “They taught me how to pray, had me over for meals, family home evenings, and going to Church.”

Middle, BYU’s Jake Eichorn with Scott Robinson, right, and the Robinson family at Eichorn’s baptismal service in Provo, Utah, on Oct. 29, 2023.

Provided by Scott Robinson

As a young man, Eichorn participated in Church youth activities, went along on campouts and sometimes engaged in long conversations with his friends about the Church. At one point, he participated in discussions with the missionaries and expressed interest in getting baptized.

Eichorn’s parents — Episcopalians — were supportive, but his father encouraged him to wait until he was older to make the decision.

The transfer

Eichorn excelled on three championship teams at Beaver High School — football, basketball and baseball.

In football, Eichorn helped Beaver to win back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020, and was Utah’s 2A State MVP as a senior.

“You don’t see many offensive linemen selected as the MVP in football,” Scott Robinson said.

Eichorn continued his athletic career at Weber State University, where he redshirted in 2021 and played in 12 games in 2022. During that season he started multiple games and helped the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a berth in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.

Despite that success, Eichorn felt the need to go in a different direction. He prayed for several months and felt a need to enter the transfer portal.

“It was a huge test of faith. The transfer portal is a scary place that can make or break your career,” he said. “I had a feeling I would end up at the ‘Y,’ but didn’t know how it would happen. Me and Kalani [Sitake] had a spiritual experience, and I committed on the spot when he offered me a scholarship.”

Jake Eichorn, center, is surrounded by BYU teammates and coaches following his baptismal service in Provo, Utah, on Oct. 29, 2023.

BYU Football

BYU by ‘divine design’

Following the transfer, Eichorn felt more at home at BYU. He started to feel like God had a plan for him.

While adjusting to a higher level of competition on the football field, he began reading the Book of Mormon and continued to pray. He also studied talks by Church leaders. One that inspired him was “By Divine Design,” given by Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in October 2017.

Eichorn began to feel the time had come for him to join the Church.

“Anybody who wants to find their faith, no matter what denomination, I think they just need to pray and find a way to get closer to God,” the offensive lineman said.

As it turned out, Eichorn had the chance to meet Elder Rasband before BYU’s game at Texas on Saturday, Oct. 28 — the day before his baptism.

“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. “He was there for a reason before my baptism to help me feel even more peace and happy about my decision. There are so many good things about this place [BYU] that have happened by divine design, including being part of a culture that helps me build my faith.”

Eichorn expressed gratitude to his parents for their unwavering support and for teaching him to seek spiritual guidance and direction when making important decisions in life, including where he should attend college.

“I have two of the best parents,” he said. “They are nothing but supportive of me.”

Eichorn asked his longtime neighbor and friend Scott Robinson to perform his baptism.

“It was very apparent from all that attended his baptism that Jake has touched many lives, including my family,” Scott Robinson said. “Jake’s decision to be baptized was his decision and a great representation of searching, pondering and asking our Heavenly Father for direction, then having the faith and courage to follow those promptings.” 

Left, Jake Eichorn and right, Scott Robinson, before Eichorn’s baptism in Provo, Utah, on Oct. 29, 2023.

Provided by Scott Robinson

Brothers in Christ

Eichorn is currently in a backup role with the BYU offensive line and is learning to play various positions on the line, including center and guard.

More than 30 of his teammates and coaches attended his baptism.

The team’s support of Eichorn is reflective of BYU’s team culture, said BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake.

“I love coaching these guys. They are great young men. They love each other and are there for each other. They are forming life-long relationships. When you have that type of connection, they really take care of each other,” Sitake said. “Whether it’s weddings, missions, coming home from missions, there is lots to celebrate. I love coaching guys who embrace each other. I love being a part of this culture. It’s a culture of love. They are wonderful young men from great families.”