Former Blue Mountain offensive linemen and twin brothers Ross and Jake Bobbin’s dynamic duo will return to the field this fall, this time at Bloomsburg University.
The Bobbin brothers graduated from Blue Mountain in 2022, and continued their careers at Robert Morris University as a right guard and right tackle duo.
“We wanted to play together in college so it would make it easier for our parents to go to games,” Ross Bobbin said. “I’m looking forward to playing with my brother again and for us to be on the field at the same time.”
The Bobbin brothers began playing football together at six years old. They were a part of the Blue Mountain rec team in sixth grade before playing junior high football in seventh and eighth grade. The duo then played varsity football at Blue Mountain all four years of high school.
Many Schuylkill County locals remember the Bobbin brothers for their nasty demeanor on the field, helping Blue Mountain average nearly 250 rushing yards per game. They also blocked for, and sometimes alongside, current Minnesota Vikings tight end Gavin Bartholomew.
While at Blue Mountain, Ross and Jake Bobbin were each named to the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Team.
“In high school me and Ross would always be competitive to see who could have the best pancake or block,” said Jake Bobbin. “We always try to support each other to play our best game.”
Jake was an SCFCA Offensive Lineman of the Year award winner and a Pennsylvania Football News Coaches 4A All-State Team selection his senior year. He was also an All-EasternPAFootball.com award winner. Ross took an honorable mention award on the All-EasternPAFootball.com team.
“It was awesome playing alongside each other in high school, and our chemistry was unmatched,” Ross Bobbin said. “We knew exactly what each of us were doing and I didn’t have to worry about him and he didn’t have to worry about me doing my job and it was just fun playing next to him.”
Ross knows his most treasured award throughout his high school career however was the Scholar Athlete Award for being the most well-rounded athlete on and off the field, including a 3.0 GPA.
Ross has fond memories of playing with Bartholomew, who went on to play college football at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State’s Matthew Stankiewitch and Syracuse’s Jason Emerich. They also played with Eastern Michigan football player Joey Zelinsky for two years in high school.
Former Blue Mountain offensive lineman Ross Bobbin (74) takes the field for Robert Morris. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Playing college football at Robert Morris has most helped Ross and his brother’s football IQ jump by knowing how to dissect a defense, whether it be coverages or blitzes, as well as time management skills.
“Playing at Robert Morris let me and my brother live out our childhood dreams of playing Division I college football together,” said Ross Bobbin. “They gave us opportunities to travel as true freshmen so going to big schools like Appalachian State, Air Force and Utah State were great experiences.”
The duo saw the field in a combined 16 games over the last two seasons.
Jake’s favorite memories of playing at Robert Morris included his first ever college start at Southeast Missouri State, which opened his eyes to the difference between high school football and Division I college football. His freshman year, the team traveled to Appalachian State, and seeing the rowdy college football environment Boone, N.C. had to offer let Jake realize he was living out his dream.
“At Robert Morris we played together on the same side of the offensive line at Delaware State and that was pretty cool,” Jake Bobbin said. “The toughest team I played against was Eastern Illinois or Air Force, and there were some really good teams we played there.”
Jake thanked Robert Morris head coach Rod Holder for helping to bring out the brothers full potential and getting to play college football for three years.
Ross knows it was a “business decision” for he and his brother to transfer to Bloomsburg after this past fall semester. The brothers thanked coach Frank Sheptock for the opportunity to play at Bloomsburg, and know lots of good offensive linemen come out of the school. Ross’ goals going forward include making the All-Conference PSAC team.
The main difference this fall will be when Ross and Jake line up on opposite sides of the offensive line, something Sheptock relayed to the brothers during spring football.
“At Bloomsburg we’ll actually be playing on different sides of the offensive line,” Jake Bobbin said. “We have a split side and a tight side, so we flip-flop every single time depending on the formation.”
Their older brother, Vinny, played college football and baseball at Wilkes University and both of the twin brothers look up to him to this day. That’s where they say they got their work ethic from — waking up at 5 a.m. every day, training and carrying that into everyday life to outwork the rest of the flock.
“I credit my toughness and grit from playing football in the coal region,” said Ross Bobbin. “It’s hard-nosed, physical football and I still carry that with me today.”
Jake is currently studying criminal justice and plans to attend the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. Ross is currently undecided on his future career endeavors.
Originally Published: July 5, 2025 at 2:11 PM EDT