Gabe Jacas LB/EDGE Illinois | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Gabe Jacas LB/EDGE Illinois
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.80 seconds (25%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2026 | |
40 time: 4.80 seconds (25%*) | |
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Overall Rating: | 84.4 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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67% |
Pass Rush: |
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80% |
Run Defense: |
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66% |
Coverage: |
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57% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#92
Position rank:
#10
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College Games: 37 College Snaps: 1695 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Brenton Cox Jr. - Florida |
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74% |
Andre Carter II - Army |
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71% |
Mike Morris - Michigan |
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71% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Gabe Jacas arrived at Illinois from Fort Pierce Central High School as a three-star recruit with a wrestling background. The Florida native was a state champion wrestler who drew offers from programs like Mississippi State, Tennessee, and South Florida before choosing the Fighting Illini. His athletic foundation translated well to football, as he became the first Illinois true freshman to earn FWAA Freshman All-American honors in 2022.Jacas made an immediate impact during his freshman season, starting eight games and recording 35 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks. His 13 quarterback hits tied for the national lead among freshmen according to Pro Football Focus, and he earned multiple True Freshman All-American honors from ESPN, 247Sports, and College Football News. His two-sack performance against Virginia marked the first time an Illinois true freshman had accomplished that feat since 2017.
Following a developmental sophomore campaign where he split time between outside linebacker and defensive line, Jacas had his most productive season as a junior in 2024. Starting all 13 games, he totaled 74 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His efforts earned him All-Big Ten Third Team honors and Phil Steele All-America Third Team recognition. Notable performances included a 13-tackle, 2.5-sack showing against Michigan and three tackles for loss in Illinois' Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's 2023 Freak's List at #69. He Wrote: " Jacas has ridiculous strength and power, especially for a guy so young. The 6-3, 267-pounder bench-presses 285 for 22 reps. “He looks like he’s been lifting since middle school,” says Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton. “He can do it all. Gabe is a dawg at wrestling. I tried to wrestle him. I wouldn’t advise it. He just wore me out. He is not to be messed with.”"
- Wrestling foundation creates devastating hand placement and leverage advantages that consistently frustrate opposing offensive linemen at the point of attack.
- Natural power generator who can stack and shed blockers with authority, showcasing knock-back ability that opens rushing lanes for teammates.
- Relentless motor drives him through contact and around blocks, making hustle plays downfield that lesser athletes simply can't reach.
- Scheme flexibility allows him to rush standing up or with hand in dirt, giving defensive coordinators multiple looks to deploy.
- Exceptional burst off the snap threatens tackles with speed-to-power conversions, forcing quick decisions from opposing quarterbacks and running backs.
- Gap discipline and edge-setting fundamentals show maturity beyond his years, rarely getting washed out of running plays by veteran linemen.
- Big-game performer who elevates against ranked competition, recording 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in six games against top-25 teams.
- Young for his class with tremendous physical upside still untapped, suggesting his best football lies ahead at the next level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pass rush repertoire remains underdeveloped with heavy reliance on bull rush, lacking the counter moves necessary for consistent NFL success.
- Hand technique inconsistencies allow savvy tackles to gain early advantages, limiting his ability to establish control in pass protection situations.
- Hip stiffness becomes apparent in coverage responsibilities, constraining his utility in modern defensive packages that require linebacker versatility.
- Length limitations occasionally surface against longer-armed tackles who can keep him at bay in run fits and pass protection.
- Production questions linger after his sophomore plateau, raising concerns about his ceiling against elite collegiate and professional competition.
Scouting Report: Summary
There's genuine NFL-caliber ability in Jacas' game, though teams will need to carefully evaluate what they're getting versus what they hope he can become. His wrestling background creates a foundation that translates beautifully to the trenches - the hand placement, leverage, and body control are already well ahead of most prospects his age. That physicality shows up most prominently as a pass rusher, where his power and initial burst can overwhelm tackles, but his lack of a refined pass-rushing plan beyond bull rushing creates obvious limitations against seasoned NFL tackles who've seen every power move imaginable.The versatility factor cuts both ways in his evaluation. While defensive coordinators will appreciate his ability to line up in multiple spots and contribute against the run, his coverage limitations prevent him from being the every-down linebacker that modern NFL defenses increasingly demand. His motor and pursuit never quit, yet his straight-line athleticism won't wow anyone in combine drills or when chasing down mobile quarterbacks on scrambles. The wrestling strength that makes him effective also comes with some natural stiffness that shows up in space.
What makes Jacas intriguing is the combination of his youth and the specific skill set he already possesses. Edge defenders who can anchor against the run while providing consistent interior push are valuable commodities, even if they're not elite pass rushers. His developmental curve suggests there's more to unlock, particularly if he can add technical refinement to complement his natural power. The question isn't whether he can play in the NFL - it's whether he can evolve beyond a rotational run-stopper into someone who consistently wins on obvious passing downs. That answer will likely determine if he hears his name called on Day 2 or Day 3.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Gabe Jacas (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
96.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.