Last Updated on November 13, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Jake Julien is a Canadian professional football punter who plays for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on November 10, 1998, in Barrie, Ontario, his full name is Jacob Christopher Julien. He previously played college football at Eastern Michigan University and spent time with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers organizations in the NFL.
Beyond football, Julien comes from a supportive family that includes his parents, Rob and Jessica Julien, and his sister, Laurel Julien. He is also married to Kennady Kuhlman, a former Eastern Michigan University soccer player.
Although his marriage, parents, and sister are publicly documented, information about whether Jake Julien has children remains unconfirmed.
Jake Julien’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Jake Julien is married to Kennady Kuhlman, a former collegiate soccer player who represented Eastern Michigan University.
Their marriage was confirmed in a January 12, 2025, article published by BarrieToday, which reported that the couple had married approximately six months earlier.
Based on the publication’s timeline, Jake and Kennady celebrated their wedding around mid-2024, although their exact wedding date has not been independently verified.
At the time of the January 2025 interview, the couple were living in the Detroit, Michigan, area while Julien prepared for another professional football opportunity.
Both Jake and Kennady attended Eastern Michigan University, where they competed in different varsity sports.
Although their shared university background is confirmed, reliable sources do not establish precisely when their romantic relationship began or how they first met.
Who Is Kennady Kuhlman?
Kennady Lynn Kuhlman is a former American university soccer player and the wife of Edmonton Elks punter Jake Julien.
Originally from Howell, Michigan, Kennady attended Hartland High School before enrolling at Eastern Michigan University.
She competed as a forward for the Eastern Michigan Eagles women’s soccer team between 2017 and the 2020–21 season.
During her university career, Kennady made appearances in several Mid-American Conference competitions and earned Academic All-MAC recognition.
Her official university biography identifies her as the daughter of Heather and Mike Kuhlman and the sister of Brett and Wyatt Kuhlman.
Kennady studied elementary education and was preparing for a career in teaching, according to the January 2025 BarrieToday feature about Jake.
Although her athletic and educational achievements are documented, detailed information about her current professional activities remains limited.
Jake Julien’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
There is no verified public information confirming that Jake Julien and Kennady Kuhlman have children.
The January 2025 BarrieToday interview discussed their marriage and living arrangements but did not identify any sons or daughters.
Similarly, his official Edmonton Elks and Eastern Michigan University player profiles do not provide information about children.
Although Julien has publicly discussed his marriage, he has not shared enough verified information to establish whether he is a father.
Therefore, his parental status remains publicly unconfirmed. This does not necessarily mean the couple have no children; it means reliable sources have not established that they do.
Jake Julien’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Jake Julien was born to Rob Julien and Jessica Julien, according to his official Eastern Michigan University football biography.
He grew up in Barrie, Ontario, where his family had an interest in American and Canadian football.
Although Jake originally concentrated on soccer rather than football, his family was already familiar with the sport long before he became a professional punter.
Jake Julien’s Father: Rob Julien
Rob Julien is Jake Julien’s father.
He is named in Jake’s official Eastern Michigan University athletics biography, which identifies Rob and Jessica as his parents.
Rob also influenced his son’s familiarity with football during childhood.
In a July 2021 interview with BarrieToday, Jake explained that his father had grown up on Canada’s West Coast and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Seattle Seahawks.
Football was frequently watched in the Julien household, although Jake initially preferred playing soccer.
He occasionally attended Hamilton Tiger-Cats games but did not seriously consider pursuing football until his later high school years.
Growing up in a football-following household helped familiarize Jake with the sport before he eventually transitioned from soccer to punting.
Despite these public references, reliable information about Rob Julien’s profession, educational background, and other private activities remains limited.
Jake Julien’s Mother: Jessica Julien
Jessica Julien is Jake Julien’s mother.
Her name appears in the personal information section of his official Eastern Michigan University football biography.
Jessica was part of the family Jake grew up with in Barrie, Ontario, before leaving Canada to attend university in the United States.
Jake’s journey from high school soccer to American college football involved adapting to a different sporting environment and pursuing opportunities far from his hometown.
However, specific details about Jessica’s occupation, educational background, and role in his athletic development have not been extensively reported in reliable public sources.
Her identity is confirmed, but additional information about her private life remains limited.
Jake Julien’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Jake Julien has one sister named Laurel Julien, according to his official Eastern Michigan University player biography.
The university specifically identifies Laurel as his sister and does not name any brothers or additional siblings.
Laurel Julien – Jake Julien’s Sister
Laurel Julien is the sister of Edmonton Elks punter Jake Julien.
Her name appears alongside their parents, Rob and Jessica Julien, in Jake’s official college football biography.
Although her relationship to Jake is documented, Laurel maintains a relatively private public profile.
Reliable sports sources do not provide detailed information about her occupation, educational background, marital status, or personal interests.
It is also not established whether Laurel is older or younger than Jake.
Without additional verified information, those aspects of her life remain private.
Does Jake Julien Have a Brother?
No brothers are identified in Jake Julien’s official Eastern Michigan University athletics biography.
The university lists one sister, Laurel, without mentioning any other siblings.
Therefore, Laurel is his only publicly documented sibling.
Jake Julien’s Early Life and Family Background
Jake Julien was born on November 10, 1998, in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
He grew up in Barrie’s north end and attended Barrie North Collegiate Institute, where he initially focused on soccer.
During childhood, Julien dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player and spent considerable time developing his skills as a goalkeeper.
He also participated in rugby, another sport that involved frequent kicking.
His introduction to football came during Grade 11 when he joined some football players practicing field goals.
His kicking ability attracted the attention of high school football coach Gary Hamilton, who encouraged him to explore the sport.
Hamilton recognized Julien’s potential and recommended specialized kicking camps in the United States.
Jake subsequently attended Kohl’s Kicking Camp in Wisconsin, where he improved his punting technique and received a five-star punting evaluation.
His performances helped him attract interest from American universities.
He eventually accepted an opportunity to play for Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Jake Julien’s College Football Career
Jake Julien attended Eastern Michigan University from 2017 through 2021.
He quickly established himself as one of the program’s leading punters despite entering college with relatively limited experience in organized football.
During his five university seasons, Julien appeared in 54 games and recorded:
- 221 punts
- 9,726 total punting yards
- 44.0 yards per punt
- 51 punts traveling at least 50 yards
- 71 punts placed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line
He also became the only punter in Eastern Michigan history to record two punts traveling more than 70 yards during his career.
Julien earned Second Team All-Mid-American Conference recognition in 2021 and graduated after studying sports management.
His performances helped him attract professional opportunities in both the NFL and CFL.
Jake Julien’s NFL and CFL Career
Jake Julien was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks in the fourth round of the 2021 CFL Draft, 31st overall.
However, he decided to complete another season at Eastern Michigan before pursuing professional football.
In April 2022, he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent.
He participated in the team’s training camp and appeared in preseason action before being released in August 2022.
Julien later attended the Ottawa Redblacks’ training camp in 2023 but was released before the regular season.
On June 3, 2023, the Edmonton Elks announced his signing.
He immediately became Edmonton’s starting punter and appeared in all 18 regular-season games that year.
Jake Julien’s Record-Breaking 2024 Season
During the 2024 CFL season, Julien established himself as one of Canada’s leading professional punters.
He recorded 107 punts for 5,773 yards, producing an average of 54.0 yards per punt.
The performance established a CFL single-season record for punting average.
He also earned All-CFL recognition for his achievements.
One of his most memorable moments came during Edmonton’s final game of the season against the Toronto Argonauts.
Julien delivered a 54-yard punt through the end zone on the final play, producing a game-winning single point in a 31–30 victory.
His performance attracted renewed interest from NFL teams.
Jake Julien’s Return to Edmonton
In January 2025, the Elks released Julien so he could pursue an opportunity with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After spending time with Tampa Bay, he returned to Edmonton in August 2025.
The Elks announced a contract extension keeping him with the organization through the 2027 season.
During the 2026 regular season, Julien appeared in all 18 games and recorded 109 punts for 5,472 yards, averaging 50.2 yards per punt.
His performances earned him another West Division All-CFL selection in October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jake Julien’s Family
Who is Jake Julien’s girlfriend?
Jake Julien is married to Kennady Kuhlman, a former Eastern Michigan University soccer player.
Who is Jake Julien’s wife?
His wife is Kennady Lynn Kuhlman, who played collegiate soccer for Eastern Michigan and studied elementary education.
When did Jake Julien get married?
Jake Julien married Kennady Kuhlman around mid-2024, according to a January 12, 2025, BarrieToday interview. Their exact wedding date has not been independently confirmed.
Does Jake Julien have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Jake Julien and his wife have sons or daughters.
Who is Jake Julien’s father?
His father is Rob Julien, who grew up on Canada’s West Coast and is a Seattle Seahawks fan.
Who is Jake Julien’s mother?
His mother is Jessica Julien, according to his official Eastern Michigan University athletics biography.
Does Jake Julien have siblings?
Yes. Jake Julien has one publicly documented sister named Laurel Julien.
Who is Laurel Julien?
Laurel Julien is Jake Julien’s sister. Her name appears in his official Eastern Michigan University football biography, although additional information about her personal life is limited.
Did Jake Julien’s wife play soccer?
Yes. Kennady Kuhlman played soccer for Eastern Michigan University between 2017 and the 2020–21 season.
Where was Jake Julien born?
Jake Julien was born in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, on November 10, 1998.
Which university did Jake Julien attend?
He attended Eastern Michigan University, where he studied sports management and played college football from 2017 through 2021.
Which CFL team does Jake Julien play for?
Jake Julien plays punter for the Edmonton Elks. He returned to the organization in August 2025 on a contract running through the 2027 season.
What CFL record does Jake Julien hold?
Julien established the CFL single-season record for punting average in 2024, averaging 54.0 yards per punt.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
