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). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 141 kilograms, he plays the offensive line position and has built his career through perseverance across multiple practice squads and reserve roles. Hance played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Through six NFL seasons, Hance has appeared for eight different franchises, working his way from short-term contracts to earning a role on an active roster. His journey reflects the path of many late-blooming offensive linemen who break into the league through special teams versatility and dependable depth-chart play.
Early Life and Background
Blake Andrew Hance was born on January 11, 1996, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He grew up in the small central-Illinois community and attended Jacksonville High School, where he developed into a Division I college prospect. The town of Jacksonville, long known for its high school athletics, gave Hance an early foundation in physical football and team competition.
Coming out of high school, Hance earned the chance to play at a Power Five conference program when he committed to Northwestern University. He spent four seasons with the Northwestern Wildcats, learning the technical side of offensive line play and adjusting to the speed of big-time college football. His development at Northwestern prepared him for a professional opportunity even though he was not selected in the NFL Draft.
Path to the NFL
After finishing his college career, Hance entered the 2019 NFL Draft but went undrafted. His first professional opportunity came when the Buffalo Bills signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2019. That stint lasted less than two weeks before he was released on May 22, which began a pattern of short stints with several franchises during his first seasons.
Within the same year, Hance caught on with the Washington Football Team for training camp and then joined the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, where he remained for the entire 2019 season. He signed a reserve and futures contract with the Jaguars in early January 2020 but was waived before the regular season. Each stop added experience and kept his professional hopes alive heading into his second year in the league.
Blake Andrew Hance Career
Early Career (2019)
The 2019 season served as Hance’s introduction to professional football, but it was a year spent almost entirely in the background. After brief windows with the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Football Team, he settled on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. Practice squad players do not appear in regular-season box scores, but the daily work in meetings and walk-throughs helped Hance absorb an NFL playbook and adjust to the pace of pro-level competition.
That offseason, the Jaguars signed Hance to a reserve and futures contract, signaling that the organization saw long-term potential in the young lineman. While he did not break through to the active roster in 2020, the experience positioned him to attract interest from other clubs as teams searched for offensive line depth.
New York Jets Era (2020)
On September 22, 2020, Hance signed with the New York Jets practice squad, joining a franchise in the middle of a rebuilding season. Practice squad roles often go unnoticed, but they are an important step for developmental players seeking their first regular-season opportunity. Hance’s work with the Jets caught the attention of a playoff contender in need of offensive line help late in the year.
Cleveland Browns Era (2020–2021)
On January 2, 2021, the Cleveland Browns signed Hance from the Jets practice squad. Just days later, he was thrust into the spotlight. Because of injuries and COVID-19 related absences, Hance was activated for the Browns’ playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter. He played 14 snaps at guard in that postseason matchup, an impressive debut given the limited preparation time.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield praised Hance after the game, explaining that the two players had met only moments before kickoff. Mayfield noted that a player named Blake stepped up after Michael Dunn was hurt at left guard, demonstrating poise under unusual circumstances. The Browns showed further faith in Hance by placing an exclusive-rights free agent tender on him on March 7, 2022, before eventually waiving him on August 30, 2022.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022)
One day after being waived by Cleveland, Hance was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers on August 31, 2022. With the 49ers, he appeared in seven games during the early part of the season before being waived on October 29. That brief window represented his most extensive regular-season action to that point and showcased his ability to step into a competitive offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2022–2024)
On November 1, 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars claimed Hance off waivers, beginning the most stable stretch of his career. He appeared in 35 games across three seasons with the Jaguars, serving as a dependable depth piece on the offensive line. The organization released him on August 27, 2024, but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad before promoting him to the active roster on October 29, 2024.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an offensive guard, Hance is valued for his size, length, and ability to play either side of the line. Coaches have trusted him to enter games in short notice, including his debut with the Browns where he logged meaningful snaps without practice repetitions. His willingness to contribute on special teams and in multiple line roles has helped him remain a valued reserve throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Hance’s career so far remains his NFL debut in the 2020 AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stepping onto the field in the fourth quarter after meeting his quarterback in the locker room just minutes earlier, he played 14 snaps and earned praise from teammates and coaches. Reaching 35 games played with the Jacksonville Jaguars between 2022 and 2024 also stands as a milestone of durability and trust.
Blake Andrew Hance Career Appearances
Blake Andrew Hance has appeared in regular-season and postseason games for the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars, while spending additional time on practice squads for the Buffalo Bills, Washington Football Team, New York Jets, and Jacksonville Jaguars. His most productive stretch came during his second stint with the Jaguars, when he played in 35 games across three seasons.
Jacksonville Jaguars Highlights
During his three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022 through 2024, Hance appeared in 35 games, providing depth and reliability on the offensive line. He returned to the practice squad in late August 2024 before being promoted to the active roster on October 29, 2024, and continued to contribute through the rest of that campaign.
Other Appearances
Outside of Jacksonville, Hance’s most notable on-field appearance came with the Cleveland Browns in the 2020 playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he logged 14 snaps in his NFL debut. He also appeared in seven games for the San Francisco 49ers during the early part of the 2022 season.
Blake Andrew Hance Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Blake Andrew Hance was raised in Jacksonville, Illinois, and attended Jacksonville High School before moving on to Northwestern University. Public details about his parents and immediate family have not been widely reported, and he has kept most of his personal life private throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Hance is active on social media, where fans can follow his updates on X under the handle blake_hance. He has generally maintained a low public profile regarding relationships and family matters, focusing public attention on his work along the offensive line.
2025 Season Outlook
On March 13, 2025, Hance signed with the Tennessee Titans on a one-year contract valued at $1.3 million, beginning the next chapter of his professional career. The move gave him an opportunity to compete for an offensive line role with a franchise in the middle of a roster rebuild under new leadership.
Hance enters the 2025 season with the most regular-season experience of his career, having appeared in more than 40 NFL games across multiple franchises. That background should give him a chance to compete for a depth role, and possibly more, on a Titans offensive line looking for experienced contributors.
With the contract running through the end of the 2025 season, Hance’s primary goal will be to solidify his standing on the Tennessee depth chart and contribute wherever the coaching staff needs him. A strong showing in 2025 could position him for a longer-term role and continued stability after several years of short stops and practice-squad transitions.