Blake Andrew Hance Bio
Blake Andrew Hance (born January 11, 1996) is an American professional football guard for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats from 2014 to 2018. Hance entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and has since built a reputation as a reliable depth player across multiple franchises. His journey through the league exemplifies the perseverance required for an undrafted player to sustain a professional career in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Blake Andrew Hance was born on January 11, 1996, in Jacksonville, Illinois, United States. He attended Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he developed his skills as an offensive lineman. His high school career laid the foundation for his transition to collegiate football at the Division I level. Hance displayed the size and technique that would eventually earn him an opportunity at a major football program.
After graduating from Jacksonville High School, Hance pursued higher education and collegiate football at Northwestern University. He joined the Northwestern Wildcats football program, where he spent four seasons from 2014 to 2018 honing his craft as an offensive guard. His time at Northwestern provided him with valuable experience against top collegiate competition in the Big Ten Conference.
Path to the NFL
Despite not being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Hance received an opportunity to continue his football career. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2019. However, his tenure with the Bills was brief, as he was released less than two weeks later on May 22, 2019. This early setback did not discourage Hance from pursuing his NFL dreams.
Hance quickly found another opportunity, signing with the Washington Football Team on June 3, 2019. He participated in training camp with Washington but was waived on August 31, 2019, before the regular season began. Following his release, Hance signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on September 1, 2019. He spent the entire 2019 season on the practice squad, continuing to develop and prepare for potential advancement to the active roster.
Blake Andrew Hance Career
Building a NFL Roster Spot (2019–2021)
After an impressive showing during the 2019 season on the Jaguars practice squad, Hance signed a reserve/futures contract with Jacksonville on January 2, 2020. He was waived by the Jaguars on September 5, 2020, but found a new opportunity shortly thereafter. On September 22, 2020, Hance was signed to the New York Jets practice squad, continuing his journey through the league as a developmental player.
The pivotal moment in Hance’s early career came when he was signed by the Cleveland Browns from the Jets practice squad on January 2, 2021. Due to injuries and players being inactive because of positive COVID-19 tests, Hance was activated for the Browns’ playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter, playing 14 snaps in a high-pressure playoff situation. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield praised Hance’s performance, noting they had not had a chance to practice together before the game. Mayfield remarked that Hance stepped up when called upon, demonstrating the readiness and professionalism that characterize his game.
Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers (2021–2022)
Hance continued his tenure with the Cleveland Browns into the 2021 season. His performance during training camp and the preseason earned recognition from the organization. On March 7, 2022, the Browns placed an exclusive-rights free agent tender on Hance, indicating the team’s interest in retaining his services. However, he was waived by the Browns on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts.
On August 31, 2022, Hance was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers. He appeared in seven games with the 49ers during the 2022 season, demonstrating his ability to contribute when called upon. His tenure with San Francisco ended when he was waived on October 29, 2022.
Jacksonville Jaguars Second Stint (2022–2024)
Hance’s career took a significant turn when he was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 1, 2022, returning to the team where he began his NFL journey on the practice squad. This second stint with the Jaguars proved to be the most sustained period of his career. He became a reliable member of the offensive line rotation and appeared in 35 games during his three seasons with Jacksonville.
During the 2024 preseason, Hance was released by the Jaguars on August 27, 2024, but was immediately re-signed to the practice squad. His performances on the practice squad earned him a promotion to the active roster on October 29, 2024. This ability to bounce back and earn another opportunity demonstrated Hance’s resilience and value as a dependable player in the trenches.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Hance signed with the Tennessee Titans on a one-year contract worth $1.3 million. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined the Titans as a veteran presence on the offensive line. The contract through the 2026 season reflects the organization’s confidence in Hance’s abilities and experience. As he enters his seventh NFL season, Hance brings a wealth of experience from his time with seven different franchises to the Titans locker room.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hance is known for his versatility along the offensive line, having played guard positions throughout his career. His experience across multiple teams has provided him with familiarity in various offensive schemes and line configurations. Hance’s ability to step in and perform effectively on short notice, as demonstrated during his playoff debut with the Browns, highlights his preparation and football intelligence. Teams have valued his reliability and professionalism as a depth player who can be counted on when injuries create opportunities.
Notable Moments
The most memorable moment of Hance’s career came during the 2020 NFL Playoffs when he made his NFL debut for the Cleveland Browns in a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite having no practice time with the starting lineup, Hance entered the game in the fourth quarter and performed admirably. Baker Mayfield’s public praise of Hance’s performance brought national attention to an undrafted player’s ability to rise to the occasion when called upon. This playoff appearance represented the culmination of Hance’s perseverance since going undrafted in 2019.
Blake Andrew Hance Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2019 to 2024, Hance has appeared in 59 games with 10 starts. His career statistics reflect his role as a valuable depth player who has contributed across multiple franchises throughout his career.
NFL Career Highlights
Hance’s NFL journey includes stops with seven different franchises over six seasons, demonstrating his ability to adapt and earn opportunities in a competitive league. His debut in a playoff game remains a career highlight, showcasing his readiness to perform at the highest level when circumstances demanded. Over three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022 to 2024, Hance appeared in 35 games, representing the most sustained contribution of his career.
Career Progression
From undrafted free agent to veteran NFL player, Hance has steadily built his career through persistence and preparation. His 59 career game appearances and 10 starts represent a solid contribution for a player who entered the league without draft recognition. Each team that signed Hance valued his experience, technique, and professional approach to the game.
| Season | Team | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | New York Jets/Cleveland Browns | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | Cleveland Browns | 9 | 4 |
| 2022 | San Francisco 49ers/Jacksonville Jaguars | 9 | 2 |
| 2023 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 17 | 1 |
| 2024 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 10 | 1 |
Blake Andrew Hance Family
Family Background
Public information regarding Blake Andrew Hance’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or family lineage in athletics, is not extensively documented in available sources. Hance has maintained a private approach to his personal life, focusing on his professional football career. As information becomes available through verified sources, additional details about his family may be shared in the future.
Personal Life
Blake Andrew Hance maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his official X account. He resides in the Jacksonville, Illinois area during the offseason, returning to his hometown roots. Hance’s career trajectory serves as an inspiring example for aspiring football players who face setbacks, demonstrating that persistence and preparation can lead to lasting professional careers in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Blake Andrew Hance enters the 2025 season with the Tennessee Titans following his signing on March 13, 2025. The one-year contract worth $1.3 million, extending through the 2026 season, represents a significant commitment from the Titans organization. Hance joins a Titans team looking to rebuild and develop their offensive line with experienced veteran contributors. His primary competition will come from incumbent players and draft picks as the team evaluates its roster configuration heading into training camp.
The 2025 season marks Hance’s seventh year in the NFL and provides him with an opportunity to contribute to a Titans team that finished with a 3-14 record in 2024. Hance’s experience in multiple offensive systems and familiarity with various coaching philosophies makes him a valuable asset for a team in transition. The Titans coaching staff will likely utilize Hance’s versatility along the interior offensive line while providing depth at the guard position throughout the season.
Looking ahead, Hance brings veteran leadership to a relatively young Titans roster. His career path through seven NFL franchises has equipped him with insights into what it takes to survive and contribute in a league where roster spots are fiercely contested. The 2025 season offers Hance an opportunity to secure a more permanent role with the Titans organization and potentially extend his NFL career beyond the 2026 contract expiration. His professionalism and track record of being ready when called upon will serve him well as he competes for playing time in training camp and throughout the regular season.