2026 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report: Gabe Jacas, OLB/EDGE, Illinois

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Accolades

• Three-year starter on the Illini defense
• 2022 Freshman All-American
• 2022 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
• 2024 3^rd Team All-Big Ten
• Ranked 1^st in forced fumbles and tied for 9^th in the Big Ten in forced fumbles and sacks, respectively (2024)
• Ranked tied for 21^st and tied for 24^th in all of college football in forced fumbles and sacks, respectively (2024)

Statistics

• 37 games played
• 74 solo tackles
• 140 total tackles
• 22 tackles for loss
• 16.0 sacks
• 4 forced fumbles (1 fumble recovery)
• 44 QB hurries

Strengths

• Not afraid to make contact with the offensive linemen, as he shows flashes of dominant bull rush, which can be attributed to his sheer strength
• Extended reach and long arms allow him to easily wrap up ball carriers, disrupt the pass, and knock the ball free
• Efficiently executes defensive twists and stunts to confuse the offensive line
• Started as a true freshman and has experience lining up against some of the best offensive linemen in the country over the past three years

Areas to Improve

• Non-factor in the run game; often overpursues past heel depth, resulting in ball carriers blowing right past him
• Struggles to shed off offensive linemen, especially when the linemen get their hands inside of Jacas
• Lacks another rush move, such as a swim, rip, or spin, and relies too heavily on the outside rush
• Stands still in coverage and has flat feet
• Has not proven to be an every-down player

Overview

Over the past few years, we have seen the evolution of the outside linebacker and defensive end position to what is now referred to as an edge rusher. It is hard to label what position Jacas truly plays, as I’ve seen Jacas labeled as both an OLB and EDGE. Starting with the pass, Jacas is not necessarily quick off the ball, but is not necessarily slow either. He is not afraid to make contact with offensive linemen, but he struggles to break free and shed the lineman’s grip. Jacas does not possess a consistent swim, rip, or spin move, but does show flashes of a dominant bull rush, thanks to his natural strength. In addition to his strength, he is fairly agile, which helps him execute twists and stunts with efficiency, confusing the offensive line. He possesses an extended reach, which helps him easily cause havoc in the backfield, creating pressure and disrupting the pass. Coverage-wise, he tends to stand flat-footed and on the ground, Jacas is a non-factor. He often overpursues past heel depth, which allows the ball carrier to run right past him. Ultimately, Jacas has not proven himself to be an every-down player.

Jacas is returning to Illinois for his senior year after passing on entering the 2025 NFL Draft. Another upside of Jacas is that he has plenty of experience, having been a starter since his true freshman season in 2022. Not only is he one of the top returning pass rushers in the Big Ten, but some also consider him one of the top pass rushers in all of college football. He has the size and strength to be a menacing threat and cause chaos against opposing offenses. The biggest question in his game is his consistency. He even mentions that himself in an interview (3:27) during spring ball. If Jacas can refine his technique, it would not be a surprise to see Jacas selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft next spring.