Jake Ference is a sophomore punter for Northern Illinois out of Lafayette High School in St. Louis, Missouri. Standing 6'0" and weighing 188 pounds, Ference assumed the starting role midseason during the 2025 campaign. Over his final seven games, he recorded 30 punts averaging 43.7 yards per attempt, ranking fourth in the MAC. He pinned eight punts inside the 20-yard line and connected on a 61-yard punt against UMass on November 12, the longest by an NIU punter since the 2023 season.