Gabe Jacas

NFL Draft Profile: Gabe Jacas

Position: Outside Linebacker / EDGE | School: Illinois

Class: Senior | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 275 lbs | Archetype: Balance

College Career Summary

Gabe Jacas leaves Illinois as one of the most prolific pass rushers in school history, second only to the legendary Simeon Rice in career sacks. A former two-time state wrestling champion, Jacas burst onto the scene as a Freshman All-American in 2022 and never looked back. His 2025 senior season was the pinnacle of his career; he led the Big Ten in sacks (11.0) and was a primary reason for the Illini's defensive success. Known for his "bull-like" play style, Jacas combined his wrestling background with refined hand technique to become a consistent nightmare for Big Ten offensive tackles. He enters the draft as a battle-tested, high-production edge setter who recently accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 50

• Total Tackles: 183 (43 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 35.0 (13.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 27.0 (11.0 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 7 (3 in 2025)

• Career Honors: First-Team All-Big Ten (2025), FWAA Freshman All-American (2022).

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
Western Illinois	4 Tkl, 2.0 Sk, 1 FF	A+	Set the tone early; physically overmatched the FCS front.
@ Duke	1 Tkl, 1.0 Sk, 1 FF	A-	Clutch. Forced fumble on the QB to stall momentum.
Western Michigan	0.5 Sk, 1 QBH	B	Solid pressure but rotated frequently in a blowout.
@ No. 1 Indiana	2 Tkl	C-	Worst Game. Struggled as the entire defense was overwhelmed.
No. 16 USC	2 Tkl, 0.5 Sk	B+	Huge impact on the final drive to preserve a top-25 win.
@ Purdue	1 Tkl, 0.5 Sk	B	Disciplined edge play in a rivalry environment.
No. 3 Ohio State	2 Tkl	C+	Faced elite OTs; held his own but lacked "finishing" stats.
@ Washington	3 Tkl	B-	High Pursuit tracking down the ball away from his side.
Rutgers	4 Tkl, 2.0 Sacks	A	Dominant. Bull-rushed the RT directly into the lap of the QB.
Maryland	2 Tkl, 0.5 Sk	B	Consistent push; forced the QB into early releases.
@ Wisconsin	6 Tkl, 2.0 Sk, 1 FF	A+	Road Warrior. Season-high tackles and a strip-sack.
Northwestern	4 Tkl, 2.0 Sk	A	The Closer. Secured his spot as the Big Ten sack leader.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Leverage & Balance: His wrestling background is evident. He understands how to use his 275-lb frame to get under the pads of larger tackles, winning the leverage battle consistently.

• Heavy Hands: Jacas possesses elite upper-body Strength. When he strikes, he resets the line of scrimmage, often knocking tackles off their base with a primary bull-rush.

• Production Floor: Unlike "project" athletes, Jacas has the "deliverables." He produced against high-level competition for four straight years in a physical conference.

• Durability: Played in 50 career games; he is a "set it and forget it" player who shows up every Saturday with high Stamina.

Weaknesses

• Limited Athletic Ceiling: He is an average athlete in terms of pure Speed and "dip." He won't outrun elite NFL tackles and relies heavily on power counters.

• Lateral Agility: Can be stiff when asked to change direction. Mobile QBs can sometimes escape his grasp if they step up or out of the pocket early.

• Pass Coverage: In the Illinois scheme, he was mostly a seeker. He lacks the fluid hips to be a consistent asset when asked to drop into zone or man coverage.

Scheme Fit: Ideal 4-3 Defensive End or a 3-4 Jack Linebacker in a power-based system.

NFL Comparison: Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) / Sam Hubbard

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 16/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 88/100

Gabe Jacas is a "pro's pro" entering the league. He lacks the "freakish" bend of a top-5 pick, but he is a powerful, technically sound defender who understands how to win at the point of attack. His high Leadership and Mental Toughness make him a safe bet for teams looking to bolster their culture and their run defense simultaneously. While some scouts worry about his long-range speed, his ability to generate "strip-sacks" and high-leverage pressures makes him an immediate-impact starter. He won't be a "sexy" pick, but he will be a 10-year starter.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round (Top 45 Lock)