Gabe Jacas, EDGE
School: University of Illinois | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’4”/ 260 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Mid-2nd round – 3rd round
Player Comparison: Matthew Judon / Brian Orakpo
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2023* | North Carolina State | ACC | FR | CB | 13 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024* | North Carolina State | ACC | SO | CB | 9 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | South Carolina | SEC | JR | CB | 12 | 19 | 8 | 27 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Career | 34 | 41 | 24 | 65 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||
| North Carolina State (2 Yrs) | 22 | 22 | 16 | 38 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| South Carolina (1 Yr) | 12 | 19 | 8 | 27 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||
Metrics
(Via nfl.com)
Source: sumersports.com
Player Overview
Gabe Jacas arrived at the University of Illinois as a two-sport, three-star recruit and finished as the team captain and leader of the Illini’s defense. He was a four-year starter, who progressively improved each season.
Gabe Jacas is a high floor power rusher prospect with the NFL body and functional skills. His wrestling background shows in how he attacks linemen with his hands. That strength is on display as he is capable of anchoring against the run. He also has the production of a decent rusher with 27 career sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss in four years with 19 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss coming in his final two seasons. Though he is a solid rusher, Jacas’ rushing lacks variety and spark. He has average quickness and monotonous pathing to the quarterback. Other issues involve Jacas in space, where the coaches used him less in coverage. In addition, his missed tackles rate was high in his senior year. This is in part sue to his motor taking him out of play. To Jacas’s benefit, he will be 21 when drafted and comes as a prospect that is capable of defending the run and rushing the passer. His growth and ceiling will be dependent on how well coaching can develop his hands, engagement/disengagement from blocks, and positioning. Some scouts believe he could work as an EDGE/OLB but has the strength to line up as a three-point 3-4 defensive end. Jacas is projected to be a Day 2 selection.
Awards & Recognition
- Senior Bowl Participant (2025)
Strengths
- NFL-ready body build.
- Dominant bull and power rushes. Capable of collapsing the pocket.
- Great production as a starter with improvements each year.
- Non-stop motor.
Weaknesses
- Misses tackles at a higher rate than average.
- Has poor awareness and discipline in the run game, loses the ball carrier.
- Needs to take better angles in pursuits. Linear rushing.
- Needs to develop counter moves.
Let’s See His Work
Interviews
How He Fits on the Commanders
If the defensive staff is looking for versatility in their defensive line room, Gabe Jacas is a prospect they should look for. His build, play strength, and positional versatility are assets for a new-look defense. Even in a crowded defensive end/EDGE group, he can find playing time as a rookie defending against the pass or run. And at age 22, he would give DC Daronte Jones and the defensive staff a developing prospect. While the Commanders may not get the preferred elite edge rusher, Jacas has the tools to be an impactful and productive player.
